rivers water quality and ecology monitoring programme · of these 44 rwqe sites in summer/autumn....

Rivers Water Quality and Ecology monitoring programme Annual Data Report, 2016/17

E Martin SR Morar MW Heath Environmental Science Department

For more information, contact the Greater Wellington Regional Council:

Wellington PO Box 11646 T 04 384 5708 F 04 385 6960 www.gw.govt.nz

Masterton PO Box 41 T 06 378 2484 F 06 378 2146 www.gw.govt.nz

GW/ESCI-T-17/95

October 2017

www.gw.govt.nz [email protected]

Report prepared by: E Martin Senior Environmental Monitoring Officer

S Morar Senior Environmental Monitoring Officer

M Heath Senior Environmental Scientist

Report reviewed by: M Oliver Team Leader

Report approved for release by: L Butcher Manager, Environmental Science

Date: November 2017

DISCLAIMER

This report has been prepared by Environmental Science staff of Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and as such does not constitute Council policy.

In preparing this report, the authors have used the best currently available data and have exercised all reasonable skill and care in presenting and interpreting these data. Nevertheless, GWRC does not accept any liability, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising out of the provision of the data and associated information within this report. Furthermore, as GWRC endeavours to continuously improve data quality, amendments to data included in, or used in the preparation of, this report may occur without notice at any time.

GWRC requests that if excerpts or inferences are drawn from this report for further use, due care should be taken to ensure the appropriate context is preserved and is accurately reflected and referenced in subsequent written or verbal communications. Any use of the data and information enclosed in this report, for example, by inclusion in a subsequent report or media release, should be accompanied by an acknowledgement of the source.

The report may be cited as:

Martin E, Morar S and Heath MW. 2017. Rivers Water Quality and Ecology monitoring programme: Annual data report, 2016/17. Greater Wellington Regional Council, Publication No. GW/ESCI-T-17/95, Wellington.

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Overview of monitoring programme 2 2.1 Monitoring objectives 2 2.2 Monitoring network 2 2.2.1 Changes to the monitoring network 2 2.3 Monitoring variables 3 2.3.1 Water quality variables 5 2.3.2 Biological variables 5 2.3.3 Habitat variables 5 2.3.4 Changes to monitoring variables in 2016/17 5

3. Physico-chemical and microbiological water quality 6 3.1 Approach to analysis 6 3.1.1 Water Quality Index 6 3.1.2 National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014

(NPS-FM 2014) attribute states 7 3.1.3 Metals 8 3.2 Results 9 3.2.1 Water Quality Index 9 3.2.2 National Objective Framework (NOF) attribute states 11

4. Periphyton 12 4.1 Approach to analysis 12 4.1.1 Monthly assessment of periphyton cover 12 4.1.2 Monthly periphyton biomass sampling 12 4.2 Results 13 4.2.1 Monthly assessment of periphyton cover 13 4.2.2 Monthly periphyton biomass sampling 15

5. Macroinvertebrates 16 5.1 Approach to analysis 16 5.2 Proposed Natural Resource Plan (PNRP) Macroinvertebrate

outcomes 16 5.3 Results 17

6. Habitat quality 19 6.1 Approach to analysis 19

7. Additional river monitoring trials undertaken in 2016/17 20 7.1 Ecologically focused assessments at sites selected randomly 20 7.1.1 Approach to analysis 20

Acknowledgements 23

References 24

Appendix 1: Monitoring Sites 26

Appendix 2: Monitoring variables and methods 28

Appendix 3: Physico-chemical and microbiological data 33

Appendix 4: Tabulated metals data 50

Appendix 5: Additional macroinvertebrate indices for RWQE sites 52

Appendix 6: Habitat scores for RWQE sites assessed in summer 2016/17 53

Appendix 7: Additional monitoring data 55

Appendix 8: Targeted investigations 57

RSoE monitoring programme: Annual data report 2016/17

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1. Introduction This report summarises the key results from the River Water Quality and Ecology (RWQE) monitoring programme for the period 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 inclusive. The RWQE programme incorporates monthly monitoring of water quality and periphyton cover at 44 river and stream sites across the Wellington Region. Annual assessments of invertebrate community composition, periphyton biomass and habitat quality are conducted at a subset of these 44 RWQE sites in summer/autumn.

In addition to the routine monitoring outlined above, this report also briefly summarises the 2016/17 results of the ecological monitoring trial, which started in 2015/16. This ecologically focused trial aims to assess ecosystem health, via measurements of invertebrate and fish community composition and habitat, at 50 new monitoring sites that have been selected randomly across the region.

The suitability of rivers for contact recreation purposes is reported separately under Greater Wellington Regional Council’s (GWRC) recreational water quality monitoring programme; for the 2016/17 results, see Brasell et al. (2017). Information on river and stream flows is reported under GWRC’s hydrological monitoring programme (see Harkness 2017).


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2. Overview of monitoring programme River and stream water quality has been routinely monitored in the western part of the Wellington Region since 1987 and in the Wairarapa since 1991. The monitoring programme has continued to evolve since this time, with changes made to the location and number of monitoring sites, the range of variables monitored, and the methods of analysis (see Milne and Perrie (2005) and Perrie et al. (2012) for details). However, since September 2003, the RWQE monitoring programme has remained largely unchanged, with only minor changes to the existing suite of monitoring sites and variables.

The broader RWQE programme encompasses the targeted investigations run by the Marine and Freshwater team that are related to riverine water quality and ecology. Information on the specific investigations conducted in 2016/17, including outputs and/or interim results, can be found in Appendix 8.

2.1 Monitoring objectives The overall objective of GWRC’s RWQE monitoring programme is to provide robust information on state and trends in river and stream condition across the Wellington Region.

To achieve this objective, the aims of the RWQE monitoring programme are:

1. Assist in the detection of spatial and temporal patterns in water quality and ecosystem health in Wellington’s in rivers and streams;

2. Contribute to our understanding of freshwater biodiversity in the Wellington Region;

3. Determine the suitability of rivers and streams for designated uses;

4. Provide information to assist in targeted investigations where remediation or mitigation of poor water quality or ecosystem health is desired; and

5. Provide information required to determine the effectiveness of regional plans and policies.

2.2 Monitoring network Water quality and ecosystem health are currently monitored at up to 44 river and stream sites (Figure 2.1, Appendix 1). These sites were chosen to represent the major land uses and human activities, and also the natural diversity of rivers and streams, in the Wellington Region.

2.2.1 Changes to the monitoring network

No major changes were made to the RWQE monitoring network during 2016/17. However, one site was removed from the network and replaced by a new downstream monitoring site and there was a minor change of monitoring location at another site:

Site RS09 (Waikanae River at Mangaone Walkway) was removed from the network and replaced by a new site RS61 (Waikanae River at Footbridge on Mangaone Walkway) approximately 0.5 km downstream.


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This was because site access down a steep bank was no longer considered safe. The difference in water quality between the two sites was considered to be significant enough for the new monitoring location to be considered a new site,

Site RS14 (Pauatahanui Stream at Elmwood Bridge) was moved approximately 0.2 km upstream. Safe access to the original monitoring location was no longer possible due to the Transmission Gully roading project. Movement of this site is not expected to have any major influence on the water quality data record but the change in habitat, from hard-bottomed to soft-bottomed, will likely impact on macroinvertebrate and periphyton monitoring results.

2.3 Monitoring variables An overview of the physicochemical, biological and habitat variables that are monitored across the network of 44 RWQE sites is provided in Table 2.1. Further information is outlined in Sections 2.3.1 to 2.3.4 and details of field and analytical methods are provided in Appendix 2. Periphyton biomass was added to the RWQE network in 2016/17 after being trialled in 2015/16. In regards to assessments of the macroinvertebrate community, the number of sites where samples were collected is reduced when compared to previous years. Macroinvertebrate communities were sampled at 40 sites compared with the typical 44. These changes reflect a shift in the monitoring needs of GWRC.

Table 2.1: Overview of physico-chemical, biological and habitat variables that are monitored across the RWQE sites (maximum sites assessed = 41)

Physico-chemical variables No. of RWQE sites

Monthly water quality sampling – core variables* 44

Monthly analysis of dissolved copper and zinc (total copper & zinc) 8 (5)

Monthly analysis of TSS** and SSC** 17

Biological variables/assessments No. of RWQE sites

Monthly periphyton cover 37

Monthly periphyton biomass 15

Annual macroinvertebrate 40

Habitat quality variables/assessments No. of RWQE sites

Monthly fine sediment cover 38

Annual rapid habitat assessment 41

*Core water quality variables include temperature, dissolved oxygen, visual clarity, pH, conductivity, turbidity, faecal indicator bacteria, and dissolved and total nutrients. **TSS = Total Suspended Sediment; SSC = Suspended Sediment Concentration.


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Figure 2.1: RWQE sites monitored between July 2016 and June 2017


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2.3.1 Water quality variables River and stream water quality is assessed at monthly intervals by measuring a range of physico-chemical and microbiological variables. The full list of variables monitored, together with details of field and analytical methods, is provided in Appendix 2.

2.3.2 Biological variables Rivers and streams are also assessed for indicators of ecosystem health. This involves semi-quantitative assessments of macroinvertebrate communities during stable/low flows in summer/autumn. In 2016/17, assessments of macroinvertebrate communities were assessed at 40 RWQE sites.

Monthly assessments of periphyton biomass are carried out at 15 sites (see Appendix 2). Measured chlorophyll a results between August 2015 and June 2017 (23 months) are presented in this report (see Section 4.2.2). Details of current biological monitoring methods are summarised in Appendix 2.

2.3.3 Habitat variables Habitat assessments were undertaken annually coinciding with macroinvertebrate sample collection. During 2016/17 this occurred at 40 of the 44 RWQE sites (during summer/early autumn). The assessment provided an indication of the condition of the physical habitat and its ability to support stream biota. Details of current habitat assessment methods are summarised in Appendix 2.

2.3.4 Changes to monitoring variables in 2016/17 In 2016/17, the following changes to the variables monitored were made:

Analysis of total organic carbon (TOC) in water samples ceased;

Assessments of deposited sediment and macrophyte cover ceased;

Mat and cyanobacteria periphyton cover were made to be mutually exclusive categories and the “cover thickness” threshold was set to 1 mm for both categories;

Annual assessments of periphyton biomass was discontinued; and,

Measurement of pH in the field ceased and was undertaken by the laboratory rather than in the field.


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3. Physico-chemical and microbiological water quality

3.1 Approach to analysis During data processing, any water quality variables reported as less than or greater than detection limits were replaced by values one half of the detection limit or the detection limit, respectively (eg, a value of <2 became 1, a value of >400 became 400). The exception is minimum values reported in the tabulated summaries in Appendices 3 and 4 (ie, if a value was reported as <2 the minimum value presented is <2).

3.1.1 Water Quality Index In this section a water quality index is used as a comparative measure to summarise water quality across the Wellington Region, based on physico-chemical and microbiological data collected monthly from July 2016 to June 2017 inclusive (see Appendix 3 for tabulated data). A water quality index (WQI), as described by Perrie (2007) and Perrie et al. (2012), is used to facilitate inter-site comparisons of the state of water quality in the region’s rivers and streams. The WQI is derived from the median values of the following six variables: visual clarity (black disc), dissolved oxygen (% saturation), dissolved reactive phosphorus, ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrite-nitrate nitrogen and Escherichia coli (E. coli).

The application of the WQI enables water quality at each site to be classified into one of four categories, as follows:

Excellent: median values for all 6 variables comply with guideline values

Good: median values for 5 of the 6 variables comply with guideline values, of which dissolved oxygen is one variable that must comply1

Fair: median values for 3 or 4 of the 6 variables comply with guideline values, of which dissolved oxygen is one variable that must comply1

Poor: median values for <3 of the 6 variables comply with guideline values, or the median dissolved oxygen concentration/value does not comply with the guideline value.

The guidelines used in the WQI assessment are listed in Table 3.1. Refer to Perrie (2007) and Perrie et al. (2012) for further discussion on these guidelines.

1 If the median dissolved oxygen concentration does not comply with the guideline value, then the WQI grade will automatically drop to ‘poor’.


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Table 3.1: Physico-chemical and microbiological variables and guideline values used in GWRC’s WQI

Variable Guideline Value Reference

Dissolved oxygen (% saturation) ≥80 RMA 1991 Third Schedule

Visual clarity (m) ≥1.6 MfE (1994)

Nitrite-nitrate nitrogen (mg/L) ≤0.444 ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000)

Ammoniacal nitrogen (mg/L) ≤0.021 ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000)

Dissolved reactive phosphorus (mg/L) ≤0.010 ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000)

E.coli (cfu/100mL) ≤100 ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000)

As outlined in Perrie (2007), the WQI is for comparative purposes rather than an absolute measure of water quality; sites with a grade of ‘good’, ‘fair’, or ‘poor’ are all considered degraded to some degree because the median value of at least one of the six physico-chemical or microbiological variables in the WQI did not comply with a guideline value. In addition, as the WQI is based on median values (ie, 50% compliance), sites awarded the same water quality grade may exhibit varying degrees of compliance (from 51 to 100%) with the guideline value.

3.1.2 National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 (NPS-FM 2014) attribute states In addition to the calculation of WQI scores, RWQE monitoring data were assessed against the water quality and ecological attribute (or parameter) tables set out in Appendix 2 of the NPS-FM 2014 (MFE 2014). These attribute tables are an integral component of the National Objectives Framework (NOF) and are designed to help guide decisions related to the protection of particular values, namely ecosystem and human health.

In this report, attribute states are presented for E.coli, ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and periphyton biomass (See Chapter 4 for periphyton biomass). The sampling statistics used to derive attribute states are specific to each attribute, and are outlined in Table 3.2.


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Table 3.2: Attribute states and guideline values taken from the National Objectives Framework (MfE 2014)

% exceedances over 540 cfu/100mL

% exceedances over 260 cfu/100mL Annual Median

95th percentile of E.coli/100mL

E.Coli/100mL*

A <5 % <20% ≤130 ≤540

B 5-10% 20-30% ≤130 ≤1000

C 10-20% 30-34% ≤130 ≤1200

D 20-30% >34% >130 >1200

E >30% >50% >260 >1200

Ammoniacal nitrogen mg/L

Annual Median Annual Maximum

A ≤0.03 ≤0.05

B >0.03 and ≤0.24 >0.05 and ≤0.40

C >0.24 and ≤1.30 >0.40 and ≤2.20

D >1.30 >2.20

Nitrate nitrogen mg/L

Annual Median Annual 95th Percentile

A ≤1.0 ≤1.5

B >1.0 and ≤2.4 >1.5 and ≤3.5

C >2.4 and ≤6.9 >3.5 and ≤9.8

D >6.9 >9.8

* Note that attribute states for E.Coli are determined by using a minimum of 60 data points over a maximum of five years.

3.1.3 Metals Metal (copper and zinc) concentrations are compared against ANZECC (2000) chronic toxicity ‘trigger values’ (95% level of protection). Because water hardness affects the toxicity of some metals, where metal concentrations exceed trigger values, site-specific, hardness-modified trigger values are calculated based on recommendations and calculations in ANZECC (2000). Since the availability of water hardness data varied across the ten sites during 2016/17, the calculation of hardness-modified trigger values and application of the trigger values are undertaken in the following two ways:

For the five sites where total hardness was analysed in monthly water samples, the hardness-modified trigger value is calculated for each sampling occasion and compared against the metal concentration from that occasion. A breach of the chronic toxicity guidelines is defined as occurring when a site exceeds its hardness-modified trigger value on more than 50% of sampling occasions; and,


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For the three sites where total hardness was not analysed in monthly water samples, the hardness-modified trigger value is calculated based on the median water hardness value generated from monthly monitoring over July 2012 to June 2013. A breach of the chronic toxicity guideline is defined as occurring when the median metal concentration from monthly sampling over 2016/17 exceeds this site-specific, hardness modified trigger value.

3.2 Results

3.2.1 Water Quality Index Application of the WQI resulted in the following overall water quality grades for the 44 RWQE sites monitored in the Wellington Region over the July 2016 to June 2017 period (Figure 3.1, Table 3.3).

Excellent: 16 sites (36.4 %) Good: 8 sites (18.2 %) Fair: 14 sites (31.8 %) Poor: 6 sites (13.6 %)

Figure 3.1: Water Quality Index grades for RWQE sites sampled at monthly intervals between July 2016 and June 2017, based on compliance of median dissolved oxygen, visual clarity, nitrite-nitrate nitrogen, ammoniacal nitrogen, dissolved reactive phosphorus and E. coli values with guideline values


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Table 3.3: Water Quality Index grades for RWQE sites sampled at monthly intervals over July 2016 to June 2017 inclusive, based on compliance of median dissolved oxygen (DO), visual clarity (clarity), E coli, nitrate-nitrite nitrogen (NNN), ammoniacal nitrogen (Amm.N) and dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) values with guideline values

Site no. Site name Guideline Compliance (median values)

DO Clarity E Coli NNN Amm.N DRP

Excellent water quality

RS20 Hutt R at Te Marua Intake Site

RS25 Akatarawa R at Hutt Confl

RS41 Waingawa R at South Rd

RS47 Waiohine R at Gorge

RS31 Ruamahanga R at McLays

RS22 Hutt River at Boulcott

RS26 Whakatikei R at Riverstone

RS23 Pakuratahi R 50m Below Farm Creek

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park Golf Club

RS55 Tauherenikau R at Websters

RS05 Otaki R at Pukehinau

RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd

RS06 Otaki R at Mouth

RS60 Pahaoa R at Hinakura

RS32 Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore

RS48 Waiohine R at Bicknells

Good water quality

RS28 Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track x

RS40 Waipoua R at Colombo Rd Br x

RS53 Awhea R at Tora Rd x

RS61 Waikanae R at Footbridge on M. Walkway x

RS29 Wainuiomata R d/s of White Br x

RS51 Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br x

RS33 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br x

RS14 Pauatahanui S at Elmwood Br x

Fair water quality

RS24 Mangaroa R at Te Marua x x

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge x x

RS13 Horokiri R at Snodgrass x x

RS58 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br x x

RS17 Makara S at Kennels x x

RS37 Taueru R at Gladstone x x x

RS34 Ruamahanga R at Pukio x x x

RS59 Enaki Stream d/s site for Riparian x x x

RS50 Mangatarere R at State Highway 2 x x x

RS39 Whangaehu R at 250m from Confl x x x

RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot x x x

RS19 Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge x x x

RS04 Waitohu S at Norfolk Crescent x x x

RS18 Karori S at Makara Peak M.B Park x x x

Poor water quality

RS45 Parkvale trib at Lowes Reserve x x x

RS38 Kopuaranga R at Stuarts x x x x

RS46 Parkvale S at Renalls Weir x x x x

RS57 Waiwhetu S at Whites Line East x x x x x

RS02 Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd x x x x x

RS07 Mangaone S at Sims Road Bridge x x x x x


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The water quality variables that most commonly failed to comply with guideline values (based on median values) were dissolved reactive phosphorus (19 sites), followed by E. coli (18 sites), nitrite-nitrate nitrogen (17 sites) and water clarity (11 sites). Guidelines for ammoniacal nitrogen and dissolved oxygen were not met at four and one sites, respectively.

3.2.2 National Objective Framework (NOF) attribute states Attribute states for E.coli, ammoniacal nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen for the 44 RWQE sites are presented in Table 3.4. The data is representative of sites monitored in the Wellington Region over the July 2014 to June 2017 period.

Table 3.4: Summary of NOF attribute states for RWQE sites sampled at monthly intervals between July 2016 and June 2017 inclusive

Attribute State No. of sites Percentage of sites

E.Coli/100mL*

A 14 32

B 9 20

C 2 5

D 8 18

E 11 25

Ammoniacal nitrogen mg/L

A 32 73

B 12 27

C 0 0

D 0 0

Nitrate nitrogen mg/L

A 36 82

B 7 16

C 1 2

D 0 0

* Note that attribute states for E.Coli are determined by using a minimum of 60 data points over a maximum of five years.

3.2.3 Metals

Median concentrations of dissolved copper did not exceed the ANZECC (2000) default trigger values, but concentrations of dissolved zinc exceeded the guidelines at three sites (Karori Stream at Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park, Kaiwharawhara Stream at Ngaio Gorge and Waiwhetu Stream at Whites Line East). Once local water hardness was taken into account and the site-specific, hardness-modified trigger values applied, two sites (Karori Stream at Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park and Waiwhetu Stream at Whites Line East) still exceeded their modified guidelines for zinc. There were no exceedances for copper after the hardness-modified trigger values were applied. Summary statistics for heavy metals can be found in Appendix 4.


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4. Periphyton

4.1 Approach to analysis

4.1.1 Monthly assessment of periphyton cover Assessments of periphyton are limited to RWQE sites with hard substrates (Figure 4.1). Monthly observations of percent streambed periphyton cover (filamentous and mat-forming periphyton) from July 2016 to June 2017 inclusive at 37 sites are compared against composite cover guidelines (Matheson et al. 2012). The threshold for nuisance mat cover is twice that for filamentous periphyton cover, so the weighted composite cover (PeriWCC) can be defined as filamentous + mat/2 with a nuisance guideline of ≥ 30.

Monthly cover assessments of potentially toxic mat-forming cyanobacteria are compared against the MfE and MoH (2009) guidelines (Table 4.1).

Table 4.1: MfE/MoH (2009) alert level framework for benthic cyanobacteria cover in rivers

Alert Level Guideline

Green ≤ 20% coverage of potentially toxic cyanobacteria attached to substrate

Amber 20-50% coverage of potentially toxic cyanobacteria attached to substrate

Red >50% coverage of potentially toxic cyanobacteria attached to substrate

4.1.2 Monthly periphyton biomass sampling Fifteen RWQE sites (Figure 4.1) were sampled monthly from July 2016 to June 2017, although due to high flows or, at one site, limited site access, sampling could not occur in every sampling month. Monthly chlorophyll a concentrations are summarised and assessed against the NPS-FM bottom line of 200 mg/m2 (Table 4.2) and have been assigned a preliminary attribute state based on monthly data collected since August 2015 (max n = 23). Six new sites added to the monthly periphyton biomass sampling network in 2016/17 (max n=12) have also been assessed. However, these should be considered initial assessments as there is insufficient data to properly compare against NPS-FM thresholds which specify that three years of monthly data (ie, 36 data points) are required to undertake this assessment (MfE, 2015).

Table 4.2: Attribute states and guideline values for periphyton biomass assessment taken from the National Objectives Framework (MfE 2014)

Attribute State

Default class – exceeded no more than 8% of samples (mg/m2)

Productive class – exceeded no more than 17% of samples (mg/m2)

A ≤50 ≤50

B >50 and ≤120 >50 and ≤120

C >120 and ≤200 >120 and ≤200

D >200 >200


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Some rivers and streams have higher periphyton biomass than others due to natural factors such as long accrual periods and nutrient enriched geology (MfE 2015). In MfE (2015), these types of rivers are classed as “productive” and all other rivers are classed as “default” because they are the dominant class across New Zealand. Application of the NPS-FM bottom line threshold and attribute states differ between these two river classes (productive and default). For a breach to occur in a productive class river, the threshold needs to be exceeded on more than six occasions over a three year period. For a breach to occur in a default class river, the threshold needs to be only exceeded on more than three occasions (MfE 2015). Based on the criteria for determining productive and default river classes in MfE (2015), one of the 15 RWQE sites sampled as part of this trial is considered to be within this productive class: Huangarua River at Ponatahi Bridge. Therefore, the other 14 RWQE sites sampled are within the default class.

Figure 4.1: Sites with hard-bottomed substrates where monthly observations of periphyton cover and, in some cases, monthly biomass (chlorophyll a) samples were collected during 2016/17. RWQE sites with unsuitable substrates for periphyton growth that were not sampled are also indicated

4.2 Results

4.2.1 Monthly assessment of periphyton cover The number of observations of streambed periphyton cover made during the reporting period varied among the 37 RWQE sites due to either site access being restricted or because turbid water or high flows prevented periphyton assessments being carried out on some occasions. Of the 37 RWQE sites with periphyton cover observations, 11 exceeded the Matheson et al. (2012) weighted composite cover periphyton guideline on at least one sampling occasion (Table 4.3). The sites that most often exceeded the guideline were the Taueru River at Gladstone (five times) and the Huangarua River at Ponatahi Bridge (four times). These sites are both located in catchments dominated by pastoral land use.


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Two sites (Pakuratahi River 50m d/s Farm Creek and Waipoua River at Colombo Road Bridge) exceeded the MfE/MoH (2009) alert ‘Amber’ guideline for benthic mat-forming cyanobacteria cover (Table 4.3). However, none of these sites exceeded the action ‘Red’ guideline for benthic mat-forming cyanobacteria cover throughout the reporting period.

Table 4.3: Summary of monthly observations at RWQE sites between July 2016 and June 2017, of visible streambed periphyton cover in relation to exceedance of the Matheson et al. (2012) and MfE & MoH (2009) guidelines. Values in bold indicate a guideline exceedance

Whaitua Site Name Site no. n PeriWCC Cyanobacterial mat cover

(> 0.2 cm thick)

Max* n >30 Max n 20-50 % n >50%

Kapiti Coast

Ōtaki R at Pukehinau RS05 9 9 0 0 0 0

Ōtaki R at Mouth RS06 9 31 1 5 0 0

Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd RS10 10 43 1 2 0 0

Waikanae R at Footbridge on M. Walkway RS61 10 2 0 1 0 0

Te Awarua o Porirua

Horokiri S at Snodgrass RS13 11 41 1 10 0 0

Porirua S at Milk Depot RS16 9 33 1 0 0 0

Wellington Harbour and Hutt Valley

Makara S at Kennels RS17 9 5 0 0 0 0

Karori S at Makara Peak RS18 10 21 0 2 0 0

Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge RS19 11 70 2 1 0 0

Hutt R at Te Marua Intake Site RS20 12 5 0 4 0 0

Hutt R Opposite Manor Park G.C. RS21 9 2 0 5 0 0

Hutt R at Boulcott RS22 10 16 0 0 0 0

Pakuratahi R 50m d/s Farm Creek RS23 12 6 0 21 1 0

Mangaroa R at Te Marua RS24 9 58 1 3 0 0

Akatarawa R at Hutt Confl. RS25 12 0 0 3 0 0

Whakatikei R at Riverstone RS26 12 17 0 15 0 0

Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track RS28 11 6 0 1 0 0

Wainuiomata R d/s of White Br RS29 11 42 3 14 0 0

Wairarapa Coast

Awhea R at Tora Rd RS53 7 54 3 0 0 0

Pahaoa R at Hinakura RS60 10 14 0 0 0 0

Ruamahanga

Ruamahanga R at McLays RS31 7 1 0 11 0 0

Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore RS32 12 9 0 3 0 0

Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br RS33 10 17 0 6 0 0

Ruamahanga R at Pukio RS34 8 0 0 0 0 0

Taueru R at Gladstone RS37 8 67 5 2 0 0

Kopuaranga R at Stuarts RS38 11 40 3 12 0 0

Waipoua R at Colombo Rd Br RS40 10 15 0 31 1 0

Waingawa R at South Rd RS41 12 11 0 2 0 0

Parkvale trib. at Lowes Reserve RS45 13 0 0 0 0 0

Parkvale S at Renalls Weir RS46 9 27 0 4 0 0

Waiohine R at Gorge RS47 7 0 0 0 0 0

Waiohine R at Bicknells RS48 11 2 0 0 0 0

Mangatarere R at SH2 RS50 10 16 0 2 0 0

Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br RS51 7 47 4 15 0 0

Tauherenikau R at Websters RS55 10 1 0 0 0 0

Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br RS58 7 16 0 0 0 0

Enaki S d/s site for Riparian RS59 11 0 0 0 0 0

* Note that the maximum PeriWCC values do not represent maximum filamentous and/or mat algae cover over the sampling period, but the maximum value calculated using the PeriWCC index.


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4.2.2 Monthly periphyton biomass sampling Median chlorophyll a concentrations ranged from 0.7 mg/m2 (Ruamahanga River at Gladstone Bridge) to 161.5 mg/m2 (Kopuaranga River at Stuarts) and maximum chlorophyll a concentrations ranged from 13.4 mg/m2 (Waiohine River at Bicknells) to 455.9 mg/m2 (Horokiri Stream at Snodgrass) (Table 4.4). One site, the Kopuaranga River at Stuarts has already exceeded the NPS-FM bottom line (attribute state ‘D’). While three years of monthly data is yet to be collected, it seems likely that the Mangaroa River at Te Marua and Huangarua River at Ponatahi Bridge will also exceed the national bottom line; both sites are currently assigned to the ‘C’ attribute state based on 20 and 9 sampling points, respectively.

Table 4.4: Summary of periphyton biomass (chlorophyll a) from monthly sampling during August 2015 to July 2017. The number of sampling occasions a site exceeded the NPS-FM bottom line of 200mg/m3 and the current NPS-FM attribute state are also presented

Site No. Site name n

Chlorophyll a (mg/m2) Current NPS-FM attribute

state Median Max n >200

RS06 Ōtaki R at Mouth 22 3.8 41.3 0 A

RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd# 9 1.9 110.7 0 A

RS13 Horokiri S at Snodgrass 22 17.6 455.9 1 B

RS16 Porirua S at Wall Pk 23 9.9 98.1 0 B

RS19 Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge# 11 23.8 199.9 0 B

RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott 22 1.5 172.7 0 A

RS24 Mangaroa R at Te Marua 20 60.3 327.3 2 C

RS29 Wainuiomata R d/s White Br# 10 13.1 337.7 1 A

RS33 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br 20 0.7 123.5 0 B

RS58 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga# 11 0.9 84.8 0 A

RS38 Kopuaranga R at Stuarts 22 161.5 381.9 6 D

RS46 Parkvale S at weir 18 18.8 77.5 0 B

RS48 Waiohine R at Bicknells# 9 0.9 13.4 0 A

RS50 Mangatarere S at SH2 23 17.0 304.0 1 C

RS51 Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br*# 9 73.7 227.8 1 C

*This site is classed as “productive” based on MfE (2015) criteria. All others are as “default”. # New sites added in 2016/17.


PAGE 16 OF 58

5. Macroinvertebrates

5.1 Approach to analysis Macroinvertebrate sampling was undertaken at 40 of the 44 RWQE sites during summer 2016/17. The Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI), an index of sensitivity to a wide range of environmental variables (Stark & Maxted 2007), is used to summarise macroinvertebrate health. Additional macroinvertebrate indices (QMCI, %EPT taxa, and taxa richness)2 are presented in Appendix 5. Refer to Perrie et al. (2012) for further explanation of these indices.

5.2 Proposed Natural Resource Plan (PNRP) Macroinvertebrate outcomes The PNRP quality classifications and outcomes, as recommended by Greenfield et al. (2015) for interpretation of MCI scores are outlined in Table 5.1. These differ from previous reports that have used quality classifications outlined in Stark and Maxted (2007). The change reflects a shift from a national classification system to a regional specific system based around six river classes. These river classes broadly represent the natural variation in river and stream ecosystems across the Wellington Region. The new regional quality classification system also aligns with the invertebrate outcomes in the PNRP. Soft bottomed MCI scores (MCI-sb) have also been calculated for the six RWQE sites that have soft substrates (See Appendix 1).

Table 5.1: MCI-quality classifications from Greenfield et al. (2015) based on river class and taken from the PNRP for the Wellington Region

River class

MCI quality class (2016/17 MCI score)

Plan outcomes (MCI scores based on three year rolling

mean)

Poor Fair Good Excellent All rivers

Significant rivers

1 Steep, hard sedimentary <110 110-120 120-130 ≥130 ≥ 120 ≥ 130

2 Mid-gradient, coastal and hard sedimentary <80 80-105 105-130 ≥130 ≥ 105 ≥ 130

3 Mid-gradient, soft sedimentary <80 80-105 105-130 ≥130 ≥ 105 ≥ 130

4 Lowland, large, draining ranges <90 90-110 110-130 ≥130 ≥ 110 ≥ 130

5 Lowland, large, draining plains and eastern Wairarapa <80 80-105 100-120 ≥120 ≥ 100 ≥ 130

6 Lowland, small <80 80-105 100-120 ≥120 ≥ 100 ≥ 130

2 QMCI = Quantitive MCI and %EPT taxa = the percentage of pollution-sensitive Ephemeroptera (mayfly), Plecoptera (stonefly) and Trichoptera (caddisfly) taxa. See Perrie et al. (2012) for index calculation details.


PAGE 17 OF 58

5.3 Results The MCI scores based on Greenfield et al. (2015) classifications are presented in Table 5.2. The 40 RWQE sites fell into the following MCI quality classes, which are calculated from a one off sample collected from each monitoring site (Figure 5.1):

Excellent: 6 sites (15 %) Good: 14 sites (35 %) Fair: 17 sites (42 %) Poor: 3 sites (8 %)

Figure 5.1: MCI-quality classes (Greenfield et al. 2015) for the 40 RWQE sites, determined from one sampling event over summer 2016/17. Sites that would normally be sampled but were not during 2016/17 are also indicated


PAGE 18 OF 58

Table 5.2: MCI scores using Greenfield et. al (2015) classifications for RWQE sites sampled in summer 2016/17

Whaitua Site no. Site name River class

MCI Score 2016/17 MCI class (based

on river class)

Three year

rolling median

PNRP objective

Kapiti Coast

RS02 Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd 6 88 (81.3) Fair 88 Not meeting

RS04 Waitohu S at Norfolk Crescent 5 93.3 (104.3)* Fair 84.2# Not meeting

RS05 Ōtaki R at Pukehinau 1 142.4 Excellent 135 Meeting

RS06 Ōtaki R at Mouth 4 123.3 Good 108.6 Not meeting

RS07 Mangaone S at Sims Road Br 5 71.8 (82)* Poor 61.4 Not meeting

RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd 4 112.2 Good 112.2 Meeting

RS61 Waikanae R at Footbridge on M. Walkway 2 140.8 Excellent Insufficient Data

Te Awarua o Porirua

RS13 Horokiri S at Snodgrass 2 118.5 Good 116.5# Meeting

RS14 Pauatahanui S at Elmwood Br 2 100.4 (95.8)* Fair 92.5 Not meeting

RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot 2 98.1 Fair 80.9 Not meeting

Wellington Harbour & Hutt Valley

RS17 Makara S at Kennels 2 Not sampled in 2016/17 122.7# Meeting

RS18 Karori S at Makara Peak M.B Park 2 93.1 Fair 85.2 Not meeting

RS19 Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge 2 98.6 Fair 81.9 Not meeting

RS20 Hutt R at Te Marua Intake Site 1 138 Excellent 138.2 Meeting

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park G. C. 4 120 Good 121.7 Meeting

RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott 4 104.8 Fair 109.1 Not meeting

RS23 Pakuratahi R 50m Below Farm Creek 1 121.4 Good 120.7 Not meeting

RS24 Mangaroa R at Te Marua 1 122.2 Good 115.2 Not meeting

RS25 Akatarawa R at Hutt Confl. 1 128.4 Good 128.4 Not meeting

RS26 Whakatikei R at Riverstone 4 123.2 Good 123.2 Meeting

RS28 Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track 1 130.9 Excellent 130.9 Meeting

RS29 Wainuiomata R d/s of White Br 4 103.8 Fair 111.2 Meeting

RS57 Waiwhetu S at Whites Line East 6 59.7 (73.7)* Poor 57.3 Not meeting

Ruamahanga

RS31 Ruamahanga R at McLays 1 140 Excellent 140 Meeting

RS32 Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore 4 113.3 Good 113.3 Meeting

RS33 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br 4 114.5 Good 113.3 Meeting

RS34 Ruamahanga R at Pukio 4 107.5 Fair 103.3 Not meeting

RS37 Taueru R at Gladstone 3 83.4 Fair 84.8 Not meeting

RS38 Kopuaranga R at Stuarts 5 88.5 Fair 92 Not meeting

RS39 Whangaehu R at 250m from Confl. 3 56.7 (78.3)* Poor 58.8 Not meeting

RS40 Waipoua R at Colombo Rd Br 4 104.8 Fair 101.9 Not meeting

RS41 Waingawa R at South Rd 4 117.1 Good 105.2 Not meeting

RS45 Parkvale tributary at Lowes Reserve 6 104 Good 98.2# Not meeting

RS46 Parkvale S at Renalls Weir 5 90.5 Fair 80.0# Not meeting

RS47 Waiohine R at Gorge 1 135.4 Excellent 113.9 Not meeting

RS48 Waiohine River at Bicknells 4 122.4 Good 113.9 Meeting

RS50 Mangatarere River at State Highway 2 4 109.5 Fair 109.1 Not meeting

RS51 Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br 4 91.5 Fair 95.7 Not meeting

RS55 Tauherenikau R at Websters 4 112.9 Good 112.9# Not meeting

RS58 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br 4 Not sampled in 2016/17 Insufficient Data

RS59 Enaki S d/s site for Riparian 4 107 Fair Insufficient Data

Wairarapa Coast

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge 5 Not sampled in 2016/17 67.2# Not meeting

RS53 Awhea River at Tora Rd 5 84.2 Fair 89.2 Not meeting

RS60 Pahaoa R at Hinakura 5 Not sampled in 2016/17 Insufficient Data

* MCI-sb scores that were used to apply quality classes at soft-bottomed sites while values in brackets are the MCI-hb scores for these sites. # Sites with a rolling mean calculated using three data points, but not from the last three consecutive years.


PAGE 19 OF 58

6. Habitat quality

6.1 Approach to analysis Habitat assessments were undertaken at 41 RWQE sites at the time annual macroinvertebrate samples were collected during summer 2016/17. A summary of the overall habitat scores for each site is provided (individual scores for each of the ten components that make up the overall habitat score can be found in Appendix 6); these overall scores provide an indication of the physical stream habitat condition and its ability to support stream biota.

6.2 Results Overall habitat scores ranged from 33.5 (Waiwhetu Stream at Whites Line East) to 99 (Waikanae River at Footbridge on Mangaone Walkway) with a median score of 65 across all 41 sites sampled (Table 6.1).

Table 6.1: Overall habitat quality scores based on a one-off assessment at RWQE sites during 2016/17

Whaitua Site name Site no. River class Substrate

Overall habitat score

Kapiti

Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd RS02 6 Soft 66 Waitohu S at Norfolk Crescent RS04 5 Soft 40 Ōtaki R at Pukehinau RS05 1 Hard 83 Ōtaki R at Mouth RS06 4 Hard 63 Mangaone S at Sims Road Br RS07 5 Soft 42 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd RS10 4 Hard 74 Waikanae R at Footbridge on M. Walkway RS61 2 Hard 99

Te Awarua o Porirua

Horokiri S at Snodgrass RS13 2 Hard 70.5 Pauatahanui S at Elmwood Br RS14 2 Soft 75.5 Porirua S at Milk Depot RS16 2 Hard 47

Wellington Harbour & Hutt

Valley

Makara S at Kennels RS17 2 Hard Not assessed Karori S at Makara Peak M.B Park RS18 2 Hard 59 Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge RS19 2 Hard 51 Hutt R at Te Marua Intake Site RS20 1 Hard 79 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park Golf Club RS21 4 Hard 73 Hutt R at Boulcott RS22 4 Hard 70 Pakuratahi R 50m Below Farm Creek RS23 1 Hard 70 Mangaroa R at Te Marua RS24 1 Hard 63 Akatarawa R at Hutt Confl. RS25 1 Hard 90 Whakatikei R at Riverstone RS26 4 Hard 90 Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track RS28 1 Hard 92 Wainuiomata R d/s of White Br RS29 4 Hard 58 Waiwhetu S at Whites Line East RS57 6 Soft 33.5

Wairarapa Coast

Whareama R at Gauge RS42 5 Soft Not assessed Awhea River at Tora Rd RS53 5 Hard 36.5 Pahaoa R at Hinakura RS60 5 Hard 69

Ruamahanga

Ruamahanga R at McLays RS31 1 Hard 94 Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore RS32 4 Hard 63.5 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br RS33 4 Hard 49 Ruamahanga R at Pukio RS34 4 Hard 42 Taueru R at Gladstone RS37 3 Hard 51 Kopuaranga R at Stuarts RS38 5 Hard 51 Whangaehu R at 250m from Confl. RS39 3 Soft 36 Waipoua R at Colombo Rd Br RS40 4 Hard 72 Waingawa R at South Rd RS41 4 Hard 60.5 Parkvale tributary at Lowes Reserve RS45 6 Hard 79.5 Parkvale S at Renalls Weir RS46 5 Hard 58 Waiohine R at Gorge RS47 1 Hard 75 Waiohine River at Bicknells RS48 4 Hard 70 Mangatarere River at State Highway 2 RS50 4 Hard 69 Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br RS51 4 Hard 63 Tauherenikau R at Websters RS55 4 Hard 65 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br RS58 4 Hard Not assessed Enaki S d/s site for Riparian RS59 4 Hard 69


PAGE 20 OF 58

7. Additional river monitoring trials undertaken in 2016/17

7.1 Ecologically focused assessments at sites selected randomly

7.1.1 Approach to analysis As part of this trial, one-off assessments of habitat quality, macroinvertebrate communities and fish communities were undertaken at five sites during summer/autumn of 2016/17 (Figure 7.1). Macroinvertebrate3 and habitat data have been summarised as per the analyses detailed in Sections 5 and 6, respectively, and fish community data has been summarised and tabulated. The Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) was calculated for each site to provide an indication of overall fish community condition and interpretation of scores was based on recommended classes in Joy (2004; Table 7.1). Further site details, macroinvertebrate metrics and full habitat scores can be found in Appendix 7.

Figure 7.1: The proposed network* of 50 randomly selected sites for the development of an ecologically focussed monitoring programme. The five sites surveyed in 2016/17 are indicated *Note that the site network is still being developed and many sites need to be visited and assessed for their suitability (eg, are they permanently flowing), whether they can be accessed safely and where required, whether the landowners allow access)

3 As only one year of macroinvertebrate data is available for these sites, MCI scores have only been compared against the thresholds provided in Greenfield et al. (2015).


PAGE 21 OF 58

Table 7.1: Attributes and suggested thresholds for interpretation of IBI scores for the Wellington region from Joy (2004)

IBI score Integrity class Attributes

52–60 Excellent Comparable to the best situations without human disturbance; all regionally expected species for the stream position are present. Site is above the 97th percentile of Wellington sites.

48–51 Very good Site is above the 90th percentile of all Wellington sites; species richness is slightly less then best for the region.

38–47 Good Site is above the 70th percentile of Wellington sites but species richness and habitat or migratory access reduced some signs of stress.

30–37 Fair Score is just above average but species richness is significantly reduced habitat and or access impaired.

18–29 Poor Site is less than average for Wellington region IBI scores, less than the 50th percentile, thus species richness and or habitat are severely impacted.

2–17 Very poor Site is impacted or migratory access almost non-existent.

0 No native fish Site is grossly impacted or access for fish is non-existent.

7.1.2 Results The MCI scores and overall habitat scores based on one assessment undertaken at each monitoring site are presented in Table 7.2. MCI scores ranged from 66.4 (Lake Onoke northern tributary) to 91.0 (upper Pahaoa River).

The lowest habitat score was recorded at Lake Onoke northern tributary (30.5) and the highest at the upper Pahaoa River site (58.0).

Table 7.2: MCI scores (Greenfield et al. 2015), MCI quality classes and overall habitat scores for the five sites that were trialled as part of the development of an ecologically focused monitoring programme that utilises randomly selected across the region

Whaitua Site no Site name MCI score MCI

quality class

Overall habitat score (out of

100)

Wairarapa Coast

RAN55 Upper Pahaoa River 91 Fair 58

RAN74 Lower Pahaoa River 78.4 Poor 46

Ruamahanga

RAN23 Waitawatautau Stream 82.5 Poor 57

RAN32 Lake Onoke N. trib. 66.4 (85.5)* Poor 30.5

RAN71 Parkvale Stream 81.8 Fair 49

*MCI-sb score that were used to apply quality classes at soft-bottomed sites while the value in brackets is the MCI-hb score for these sites

Based on IBI classes, fish community condition at the four sites surveyed ranged from very poor (Lake Onoke northern tributary) to good (lower Pahaoa River). Thirteen species of fish, including koura (freshwater) crayfish, were recorded across the four sites surveyed (Table 7.3). Of these species, eleven are indigenous and two (perch and brown trout) are introduced.


PAGE 22 OF 58

Table 7.3: Fish species (and numbers) and koura (freshwater crayfish) caught at the four sites that were trialled as part of the development of an ecologically focused monitoring programme that utilises sites randomly selected across the region. Note that site RAN71 could not be fished so is not displayed in this table.

Whaitua Ruamahanga Wairarapa Coast

Site code RAN23* RAN32* RAN55# RAN74#

Site name Waitawatautau Stream

Lake Onoke N. trib.

Upper Pahaoa River

Lower Pahaoa River

Shortfin eel 3 15 16 37

Longfin eel 2 - 51 45

Elvers - - 47 59

Inanga - - 84 657

Crans bully 332 - 1 5

Upland bully - - - 1

Common bully - - - 61

Redfin bully - - 26 55

Unidentified bully 1 - 19 64

Brown mudfish - 12 - -

Perch - - 1 -

Black flounder - - - 1

Brown trout - - - 1

Koura 2 - 3 -

IBI Score (class) 24 (Poor) 16 (Very poor) 36 (Fair) 44 (Good)

* Site sampled using Joy et al. (2013) netting/trapping methods for wadeable rivers and streams. # Site sampled using an in-house, in-development combination of backpack electric fishing protocols and netting/trapping protocols for larger non-wadeable rivers Too small to be accurately identified


PAGE 23 OF 58

Acknowledgements

Joanna McVeagh, Shyam Morar and Emily Martin carried out the majority of the water quality monitoring. Alton Perrie and Shyam Morar carried out the biological monitoring, assisted at times by other GWRC Environmental Science staff. Alton Perrie, Michael Greer and Megan Oliver reviewed draft versions of this report.


PAGE 24 OF 58

References

ANZECC. 2000. Australia and New Zealand guidelines for fresh and marine water quality, Volume 1, The guidelines. Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council, Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand, Canberra.

Brasell K, Morar SR and Conwell C. 2017. Is it safe to swim? Recreational water quality monitoring results for 2016/17. Greater Wellington Regional Council, Publication No. GW/ESCI-T-17/99, Wellington.

Greenfield S, Milne J, Perrie A, Oliver M, Tidswell S and Fairbrother P. 2015. Benchmarking of aquatic ecosystem health and contact recreation outcomes in the Proposed Natural Resources Plan. Greater Wellington Regional Council, Publication No. GW/ESCI-T-15/46, Wellington.

Harkness M. 2017. Hydrology State of the Environment monitoring programme: Annual Data Report 2016/17. Greater Wellington Regional Council, Publication No. GW/ESCI-T-17/94, Wellington.

Joy M. 2004. A fish index of biotic integrity for the Wellington region. Report prepared for Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Joy M, David B and Lake M. 2013. New Zealand Freshwater Fish Sampling Protocols, Part 1: Wadeable Rivers & Streams. Massey University, Palmerston North.

Matheson F, Quinn J and Hickey C. 2012. Review of the New Zealand instream plant and nutrient guidelines and development of a new decision making framework: Phases 1 and 2 final report. NIWA Client Report No: HAM2012-081, Hamilton.

Milne J and Perrie A. 2005. Freshwater quality monitoring technical report. Greater Wellington Regional Council, Publication No. GW/RINV-T-05/87, Wellington.

Ministry for the Environment and Ministry of Health. 2009. New Zealand guidelines for cyanobacteria in recreational freshwaters – Interim guidelines. Prepared for the Ministry for the Environment and Ministry of Health by SA Wood, DP Hamilton, WJ Paul, KA Safi and WM Williamson. Wellington.

Ministry for the Environment. 1994. Water quality guidelines No. 2: Guidelines for the management of water colour and clarity. Ministry for the Environment, Wellington.

Ministry for the Environment. 2014. National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014. Publication No. ME1155, Ministry for the Environment, Wellington.

Ministry for the Environment. 2015. A draft guide to attributes: In appendix 2 of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014. Ministry for the Environment, Wellington. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/fresh-water/draftguideattributes-appendix-2-national-policy-statement-freshwater


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Perrie A, Morar S, Milne JR and Greenfield S. 2012. River and stream water quality and ecology in the Wellington region: State and trends. Greater Wellington Regional Council, Publication No. GW/EMI-T-12/143, Wellington.

Perrie A. 2007. The state of water quality in selected rivers and streams in the Wellington region, 2003–2006. Greater Wellington Regional Council, Publication No. GW/EMI-T-07/218, Wellington.

Stark JD and Maxted JR. 2007. A user guide for the Macroinvertebrate Community Index. Cawthron Institute Report No; 1166 prepared for the Ministry for the Environment, Wellington.


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Appendix 1: Monitoring Sites

Table A1.1: RWQE monitoring sites

Whaitua Site no. Site name NZTM site coordinates Substrate (hard

or soft bottomed) River class*

Dominant land cover Easting Northing

Kapiti Coast

RS02 Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd 1780903 5487645 Soft 6 Urban

RS04 Waitohu S at Norfolk Crescent 1779537 5488304 Soft 5 Pasture

RS05 Ōtaki R at Pukehinau 1785426 5478749 Hard 1 Indigenous Forest

RS06 Ōtaki R at Mouth** 1777983 5485886 Hard 4 Indigenous Forest

RS07 Mangaone S at Sims Road Br 1776242 5482408 Soft 5 Pasture

RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd** 1771223 5472915 Hard 4 Indigenous Forest

RS61 Waikanae R at Footbridge on M. Walkway 1779900 5473149 Hard 2 Indigenous Forest

Te Awarua o Porirua

RS13 Horokiri S at Snodgrass** 1761804 5450653 Hard 2 Pasture

RS14 Pauatahanui S at Elmwood Br 1761097 5446783 Hard 2 Pasture

RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot** 1754366 5443031 Hard 2 Urban


RS17 Makara S at Kennels 1743530 5433635 Hard 2 Pasture

RS18 Karori S at Makara Peak M.B Park 1744213 5426874 Hard 2 Urban

RS19 Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge** 1749069 5431077 Hard 2 Urban

RS20 Hutt R at Te Marua Intake Site 1780071 5450158 Hard 1 Indigenous Forest

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park Golf Club 1766679 5442285 Hard 4 Indigenous Forest

RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott** 1760858 5437486 Hard 4 Indigenous Forest

RS23 Pakuratahi R 50m Below Farm Creek 1784607 5451677 Hard 1 Indigenous Forest

RS24 Mangaroa R at Te Marua** 1778543 5448643 Hard 1 Pasture

RS25 Akatarawa R at Hutt Confl. 1776183 5449184 Hard 1 Indigenous Forest

RS26 Whakatikei R at Riverstone 1772256 5446748 Hard 4 Indigenous Forest

RS28 Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track 1768242 5430634 Hard 1 Indigenous Forest

RS29 Wainuiomata R d/s of White Br** 1757316 5415724 Hard 4 Indigenous Forest

RS57 Waiwhetu S at Whites Line East 1760977 5434510 Soft 6 Urban

Wairarapa Coast

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge 1856090 5461229 Soft 5 Pasture

RS53 Awhea River at Tora Rd 1809951 5403289 Hard 5 Pasture

RS60 Pahaoa R at Hinakura 1821678 5424774 Hard 5 Pasture

Ruamahanga

RS31 Ruamahanga R at McLays 1818149 5485809 Hard 1 Indigenous Forest

RS32 Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore 1825574 5463019 Hard 4 Pasture

RS33 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br** 1821208 5450327 Hard 4 Pasture

RS34 Ruamahanga R at Pukio 1797832 5431010 Hard 4 Pasture

RS37 Taueru R at Gladstone 1824148 5450815 Hard 3 Pasture

RS38 Kopuaranga R at Stuarts** 1826761 5469569 Hard 5 Pasture

RS39 Whangaehu R at 250m from Confl. 1826267 5459407 Soft 3 Pasture

RS40 Waipoua R at Colombo Rd Br 1825018 5462890 Hard 4 Pasture

RS41 Waingawa R at South Rd 1820716 5460649 Hard 4 Indigenous Forest

RS45 Parkvale tributary at Lowes Reserve** 1818094 5458352 Hard 6 Pasture

RS46 Parkvale S at Renalls Weir 1813515 5449469 Hard 5 Pasture

RS47 Waiohine R at Gorge 1801889 5455995 Hard 1 Indigenous Forest

RS48 Waiohine River at Bicknells** 1810615 5448099 Hard 4 Pasture

RS50 Mangatarere River at State Highway 2** 1809768 5452160 Hard 4 Pasture

RS51 Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br** 1807009 5435213 Hard 4 Pasture

RS55 Tauherenikau R at Websters 1797082 5439942 Hard 4 Pasture

RS58 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br** 1804602 5436488 Hard 4 Pasture

RS59 Enaki S d/s site for Riparian 1809953 5455425 Hard 4 Pasture

* Shown on Maps 21a to 21e of the proposed Natural Resources Plan ** Periphyton biomass sites


PAGE 27 OF 58

Table A1.2: Monitoring site coordinates for the five sites that were trialled as part of the development of an ecologically focused monitoring programme that utilises sites randomly selected across the region

Whaitua Site no. Site Name NZTM Coordinates River

class Substrate Elevation (m)

Distance inland (km)

Dominant landcover Easting Northing

Wairarapa Coast RAN55 Upper Pahaoa River 1825135 5428684 5 Hard 30 31 Pasture

RAN74 Lower Pahaoa River 1826852 5416980 5 Hard 10 6 Pasture

Ruamahanga

RAN23 Waitawatautau Stream 1809539 5436917 6 Hard 39 59 Pasture

RAN32 Lake Onoke N. trib. 1780404 5421101 6 Soft 3 8 Pasture

RAN71 Parkvale Stream 1813400 5449626 5 Hard 50 81 Pasture


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Appendix 2: Monitoring variables and methods

A summary of the physico-chemical and biological sampling variables monitored at each RWQE site during 2016/17 is provided in Table A2.1. All sites are sampled monthly for core water quality variables (ie, dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, conductivity, visual clarity, turbidity, faecal indicator bacteria and dissolved and total nutrients). Further details on sampling and analytical methods for all physico-chemical, microbiological and biological variables are provided below.

Table A2.1: Summary of the physico-chemical, biological and habitat variables monitored at each RWQE sites during 2016/17 (TSS = total suspended solida and SSC = suspended sediment concentration)

Whaitua Site no.

Site name

Dis

solv

ed c

oppe

r &

zin

c

Tota

l cop

per

& z

inc

TSS

& S

SC

Mon

thly

pe

riphy

ton

cove

r

Mon

thly

pe

riphy

ton

bi

omas

s

Ann

ual

mac

roin

vert

ebra

te

& h

abita

t

Kapiti Coast

RS02 Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd Y Y Y RS04 Waitohu S at Norfolk Crescent

Y

RS05 Ōtaki R at Pukehinau Y Y RS06 Ōtaki R at Mouth Y Y Y RS07 Mangaone S at Sims Road Br

Y

RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd Y Y Y Y Y RS61 Waikanae R at Footbridge on M. Walkway Y Y

Te Awarua o Porirua

RS13 Horokiri S at Snodgrass

Y Y Y Y RS14 Pauatahanui S at Elmwood Br Y Y RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot Y Y Y Y Y Y


RS17 Makara S at Kennels

Y Y

RS18 Karori S at Makara Peak M.B Park Y Y Y Y RS19 Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge Y Y Y Y RS20 Hutt R at Te Marua Intake Site

Y

Y

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park Golf Club Y Y Y Y RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott Y Y Y Y Y RS23 Pakuratahi R 50m Below Farm Creek

Y

Y

RS24 Mangaroa R at Te Marua Y Y Y RS25 Akatarawa R at Hutt Confl. Y Y RS26 Whakatikei R at Riverstone

Y

Y

RS28 Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track Y Y RS29 Wainuiomata R d/s of White Br Y Y Y RS57 Waiwhetu S at Whites Line East Y Y

Y

Wairarapa Coast

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge Y RS53 Awhea River at Tora Rd Y Y RS60 Pahaoa R at Hinakura

Y Y

Y*

Ruamahanga

RS31 Ruamahanga R at McLays Y Y RS32 Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore Y Y Y RS33 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br

Y Y Y Y

RS34 Ruamahanga R at Pukio Y Y Y RS37 Taueru R at Gladstone Y Y Y RS38 Kopuaranga R at Stuarts

Y Y Y Y

RS39 Whangaehu R at 250m from Confl. Y Y RS40 Waipoua R at Colombo Rd Br Y Y RS41 Waingawa R at South Rd

Y

Y

RS45 Parkvale tributary at Lowes Reserve

Y

Y RS46 Parkvale S at Renalls Weir Y Y Y RS47 Waiohine R at Gorge

Y

Y

RS48 Waiohine River at Bicknells

Y Y Y RS50 Mangatarere River at State Highway 2 Y Y Y RS51 Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br

Y Y Y

RS55 Tauherenikau R at Websters

Y Y

Y RS58 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br Y Y Y RS59 Enaki S d/s site for Riparian

Y

Y

*This site was assessed for habitat quality but macroinvertebrates were not sampled during the 2016/17 sampling period


PAGE 29 OF 58

Physico-chemical and microbiological water quality Core water quality variables measured/analysed at each RWQE site are presented in Table A2.2. As far as practical, individual RWQE monitoring sites are sampled at the same time of the month (and usually at the same time of the day) throughout the year and where possible all sites on a river or stream are sampled on the same day. Field meters are calibrated on the morning of the day of sampling. Water samples are collected in mid-stream (where possible), typically in run-type habitat from a representative reach of stream. Samples requiring laboratory analysis are placed in chilly bins with ice and couriered overnight to RJ Hill Laboratories in Hamilton. Water samples for heavy metal and dissolved nutrient analysis were all laboratory filtered.

Table A2.2: RWQE field and analytical water quality methods and detection limits

Variable Method Detection

limit Water temperature Field meter – generally YSI ProODO 0.01 ºC Dissolved oxygen Field meter – generally YSI ProODO 0.01 mg/L Visual clarity Black disc (20 mm disc if clarity <0.5 m, 60 mm disc for clarity between 0.5 m and 1.5

m, 200 mm disc for clarity >1.5 m) 0.01 m

pH Field meter – generally YSI Professional Plus 0.01 units Conductivity Field meter – generally YSI Professional Plus 0.1 µS/cm Turbidity Analysis using a Hach 2100N, Turbidity meter. APHA 2130 B 22nd Ed. 2012 0.05 NTU Total suspended solids Filtration using Whatman 934 AH, Advantec GC-50 or 1-2 equivalent filters (nominal

pore size 1.2–1.5μm), gravimetric determination. APHA 2540 D 22nd Ed. 2012 2 mg/L

Suspended sediment concentration

Filtration using Advantec GC-50 or equivalent 125mm diameter filters (nominal pore size 1.2 - 1.5μm), gravimetric determination. Entire sample filtered. No correction for density. Note: g/m3 units are equivalent to mg/L. ASTM D3977-97 (Modified).

10 mg/L

Ammoniacal nitrogen Filtered sample. Phenol/hyperclorite colorimetry. Discrete Analyser. (NH4-N = NH4+-N + NH3-N) APHA 4500-NH3 F (modified from manual analysis) 22nd Ed. 2012

0.005 mg/L

Nitrite nitrogen Automated Azo dye colorimetry, Flow injection analyser. APHA 4500-NO3- I (Modified) 22nd Ed. 2012

0.001 mg/L

Nitrate nitrogen Calculation: (Nitrate-N + Nitrite-N) – Nitrite-N 0.001 mg/L Nitrate + nitrite nitrogen Total oxidised nitrogen. Automated cadmium reduction, Flow injection analyser. APHA

4500-NO3- I (Modified) 22nd Ed. 2012 0.001 mg/L

Total Kjeldahl nitrogen Kjeldahl digestion, phenol/hyperclorite colorimetry (Discrete Analysis). APHA 4500-N Org C. (modified) 4500-NH3 F (modified) 22nd Ed. 2012

0.1 mg/L

Total nitrogen Calculation: TKN + Nitrate-N + Nitrite-N 0.11 mg/L* Total phosphorus Total Phosphorus digestion, ascorbic acid colorimetry. Discrete Analyser. APHA 4500-

P E (modified from manual analysis) 22nd Ed. 2012 0.004 mg/L

Dissolved reactive phosphorus

Filtered sample. Molybdenum blue colorimetry. Discrete Analyser. APHA 4500-P E (modified from manual analysis) 22nd Ed. 2012

0.001 mg/L

Faecal coliforms APHA 9222D 22nd Ed. 2012 1 cfu/100mL E. coli APHA 9222G 22nd Ed. 2012 1 cfu/100mL Total recoverable copper

Nitric/Hydrochloric acid extraction, 85°C, 2.75 hr, ICP-MS, trace level. APHA 3125 B 22nd ed. 2012.

0.0005 mg/L

Total recoverable zinc Nitric/Hydrochloric acid extraction, 85°C, 2.75 hr, ICP-MS, trace level. APHA 3125 B 22nd ed. 2012.

0.001 mg/L

Dissolved copper Filtered sample, ICP-MS, trace level. APHA 3125 B 22nd Ed. 2012 0.0005 mg/L Dissolved zinc Filtered sample, ICP-MS, trace level. APHA 3125 B 22nd Ed. 2012 0.0010 mg/L Dissolved Calcium Filtered sample, ICP-MS, trace level. APHA 3125 B 22nd Ed. 2013 0.05 mg/L Dissolved Magnesium Filtered sample, ICP-MS, trace level. APHA 3125 B 22nd Ed. 2014 0.02 mg/L Dissolved Organic Carbon

Filtered sample, Supercritical persulphate oxidation. APHA 5310 C (modified) 22nd ed. 2012.

0.5 mg/L

Total hardness Calculation from Calcium and Magnesium. APHA 2340 B 22nd ed. 2012. 1.0 mg/L as CaCO3

* A detection limit of 0.05 mg/L can be achieved if samples are analysed in duplicate


PAGE 30 OF 58

Periphyton Formal periphyton assessments are limited to the 38 RWQE sites with hard substrates.

Monthly assessment of visible streambed cover

Periphyton cover is determined by estimating the percentage of mat (>1 mm thick) cyanobacterial mat (>1 mm thick) and filamentous (>2 cm long) periphyton present on the stream or river bed. Note that cover of mat and cyanobacterial mat-periphyton are mutually exclusive (ie, cyanobacterial mat cover >1 mm thick will be counted as separate from mat-periphyton). A total of 20 observations are taken at each site from two transects of ten observations, or, if the stream or river is not wide enough or too swift to wade across more than half of the river’s width, four transects of five observations. Each observation is typically made with an underwater viewer and covers an approximate area of a 30 cm diameter circle.

Visible streambed periphyton cover assessments are carried out equally in both run and riffle-type habitats if these are present at a sampling site/reach.

Monthly assessment of biomass

Periphyton samples for quantitative biomass assessments (chlorophyll a) are collected on a monthly basis. During 2016/17, chlorophyll a samples were collected from 15 of the 44 RWQE sites with hard substrates. Sampling protocols involved collecting samples from a run habitat and following modified versions of quantitative methods 1b (QM-1b) and 3 (QM-3) as outlined by Biggs and Kilroy (2000)4. This involves pooling periphyton samples from 10 rocks into a single composite sample for analysis (See Greenfield (2016)5 for further details).

Macroinvertebrates A single macroinvertebrate sample is collected at or adjacent to 40 of the 44 RWQE water sampling sites during summer/early autumn. The timing of sampling is determined at random, although macroinvertebrate sampling is, where practicable, avoided within two weeks of any flood event (flood events are defined as flows greater than three times the median river flow).

Samples are collected with the use of a kick-net (0.5 mm mesh size) following Protocol C1 of the national macroinvertebrate sampling protocols (Stark et al. 2001)6 for the 40 sites with hard substrate (in riffle habitat) and Protocol C2 for the six sites with a soft substrate. All samples are processed in accordance with Protocol P2 (Stark et al. 2001).

Sampling undertaken at the five sites that were trialled as part of the development of an ecologically focused monitoring programme that utilises sites randomly selected across the region followed the above approach used at RWQE sites. Four out of the five sites trialled were considered to have hard substrate.

4 Biggs B and Kilroy C. 2000. Stream periphyton monitoring manual. National Institute for Water and Atmosphere, Christchurch 5 Greenfield S. 2016. Use of periphyton cover to estimate chlorophyll a concentration: Performance of Canterbury conversion factors in Wellington Region rivers. Greater Wellington Regional Council, Publication No. GW/ESCI-T-16/90, Wellington. 6 Stark JD, Boothroyd, IKG, Harding JS, Maxted JR and Scarsbrook MR. 2001. New Zealand Macroinvertebrate Working Group Report No. 1. Prepared for the Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Management Fund Project No. 5103


PAGE 31 OF 58

Habitat quality Habitat assessments are undertaken annually at the 40 RWQE sites during summer/early autumn when invertebrates samples are collected following the updated methods outlined in Clapcott (20157; cf. earlier protocols in Clapcott, 20138). This assessment provides an indication of the condition of the physical habitat and its ability to support stream biota, and incorporates the following variables: deposited sediment cover, invertebrate habitat abundance and diversity, fish habitat abundance and diversity, hydraulic heterogeneity, bank erosion and vegetation, and riparian width and shade. Each category is scored between 1 (‘poor’) and 10 (‘excellent’). Summation of individual scores provides an overall total habitat quality score for each site (lowest and highest possible scores are 10 and 100, respectively).

This methodology was developed with a focus on wadeable hard-bottomed streams (Clapcott 2015) and hence its applicability to other stream/river types has not been explored.

Sampling undertaken at the five sites that were trialled as part of the development of an ecologically focused monitoring programme that utilises sites randomly selected across the region also followed this approach.

Fish Assessments of fish communities were undertaken at four of the five sites trialled as part of the ecologically focused monitoring programme applied at sites randomly selected across the region. Two of the sites (RAN23 and RAN32) were fished using the netting and trapping method protocols outlined in Joy et al. (2013)9. For the two sites deemed suitable (eg, ~90-100% of the reach soft bottomed, >0.4 m deep and having little to low flow) the netting/trapping protocols outlined in Joy et al. (2013) was used.

For the other two larger river sites (RAN74 and RAN55), a 500 metre reach of river was broken into the following meso-habitat types: riffle, shallow run, deep run, pool and backwater. Several representative sites within these habitat types that could be safely fished using a backpack electric fishing machine (eg, riffles and shallow runs) were then assessed. Six fine-mesh fyke nets and 12 fine-mesh Gee-minnow traps were also set and left overnight in the deeper run and pool habitat present. It’s important to note that the fishing undertaken at the two larger river sites was to help the development of a suitable methodology for assessing fish communities in larger rivers as no national protocols exist. It is likely that this methodology will be refined as the monitoring programme develops.

The Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) was calculated to help facilitate inter-site comparisons and provide an indication of overall fish community condition. The IBI is a combination of six metrics that was developed specifically to assess the condition of New Zealand’s fish fauna and takes into account the fact that many species exhibit diadromous life histories (ie, often migrate between the ocean and freshwater at some

7 Clapcott JE. 2015. National rapid habitat assessment protocol development for streams and rivers. Report No. 2649 prepared for Northland Regional Council by the Cawthron Institute, Nelson. 8 Clapcott JE. 2013. Rapid habitat assessment workshop. Report no. 2445 prepared for Hawkes Bay Regional Council by the Cawthron Institute, Nelson. 9 Joy M, David B and Lake M. 2013. New Zealand freshwater fish sampling protocols, part 1: wadeable river & streams. Massey University, Palmerston North.


PAGE 32 OF 58

point in their lifecycle). The IBI compares the species found at a site with those expected to be at a site, while taking into account natural changes that occur with distance inland and elevation. For full details of the IBI see Joy and Death (2004)10 and Joy (2004) 11.

IBI scores were generated for each site in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet macro using a version of the IBI calibrated for the Wellington region (Joy 2004). IBI scores can range from 0 (no fish present) to 60, with a score of 60 indicating that all fish expected to be present were found. Interpretation of IBI scores was undertaken using the classes recommended in Joy (2004) and outlined in Table 7.1.

10 Joy M and Death R. 2004. Application of the index of biotic integrity methodology to New Zealand freshwater fish communities. Environmental Management, 34: 415–428. 11 Joy M. 2004. A fish index of biotic integrity for the Wellington region. Report prepared for Greater Wellington Regional Council.


PAGE 33 OF 58

Appendix 3: Physico-chemical and microbiological data

Table A3.1: Water temperature (C)

Whaitua Site no. Site name Median Minimum 5th

percentile 95th

percentile Maximum n*

Kapiti Coast

RS02 Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd 14.0 8.4 9.0 16.5 16.8 12

RS04 Waitohu S at Norfolk Crescent 13.1 7.8 8.0 15.4 15.5 12

RS05 Ōtaki R at Pukehinau 10.5 5.5 6.4 13.1 13.8 12

RS06 Ōtaki R at Mouth 12.5 6.5 6.7 14.8 15.2 12

RS07 Mangaone S at Sims Road Br 13.0 8.4 8.9 14.8 15.7 12

RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd 13.6 8.7 9.2 16.3 17.3 12

RS61 Waikanae R at Footbridge on M. Walkway 11.4 6.7 7.5 13.9 14.0 12

Te Awarua o Porirua

RS13 Horokiri S at Snodgrass 12.2 6.7 7.5 16.3 16.4 12

RS14 Pauatahanui S at Elmwood Br 12.3 6.2 7.5 16.4 16.8 12

RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot 12.9 8.0 8.6 16.4 16.5 12


RS17 Makara S at Kennels 13.5 7.7 8.6 17.8 17.9 12

RS18 Karori S at Makara Peak M.B Park 13.1 9.9 10.0 15.9 15.9 12

RS19 Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge 13.2 8.2 8.3 17.0 17.4 12

RS20 Hutt R at Te Marua Intake Site 9.9 6.3 6.4 15.2 15.9 12

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park Golf Club 13.0 7.9 7.9 16.7 17.3 12

RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott 13.5 8.0 8.1 17.2 17.6 12

RS23 Pakuratahi R 50m Below Farm Creek 10.4 7.2 7.5 14.6 15.4 12

RS24 Mangaroa R at Te Marua 11.8 7.1 7.8 15.9 17.1 12

RS25 Akatarawa R at Hutt Confl. 10.9 6.0 6.5 14.7 15.5 12

RS26 Whakatikei R at Riverstone 10.8 6.7 6.8 14.7 15.4 12

RS28 Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track 9.6 5.6 6.5 13.1 13.9 12

RS29 Wainuiomata R d/s of White Br 12.5 7.5 8.3 17.5 18.3 12

RS57 Waiwhetu S at Whites Line East 14.0 10.3 10.7 18.2 19.1 12

Wairarapa Coast

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge 13.6 6.5 7.3 20.3 20.4 11

RS53 Awhea River at Tora Rd 16.1 8.5 9.1 21.3 22.9 12

RS60 Pahaoa R at Hinakura 14.3 7.0 7.7 18.5 18.9 12

Ruamahanga

RS31 Ruamahanga R at McLays 9.3 6.1 6.6 12.9 13.2 10

RS32 Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore 14.2 9.2 9.3 17.2 17.3 12

RS33 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br 14.8 9.5 9.6 18.5 18.8 12

RS34 Ruamahanga R at Pukio 15.2 9.5 9.6 19.4 19.6 12

RS37 Taueru R at Gladstone 14.6 7.2 7.5 17.0 17.1 12

RS38 Kopuaranga R at Stuarts 13.2 8.1 8.2 17.6 18.2 12

RS39 Whangaehu R at 250m from Confl. 13.8 6.7 7.2 19.4 19.9 12

RS40 Waipoua R at Colombo Rd Br 14.6 7.8 8.1 18.4 19.1 12

RS41 Waingawa R at South Rd 14.0 7.8 7.9 18.3 19.0 12

RS45 Parkvale tributary at Lowes Reserve 13.4 9.7 10.2 14.0 14.0 12

RS46 Parkvale S at Renalls Weir 13.9 8.8 9.1 18.7 19.7 12

RS47 Waiohine R at Gorge 10.5 6.4 6.5 13.4 13.7 12

RS48 Waiohine River at Bicknells 13.7 8.3 8.5 16.9 17.3 12

RS50 Mangatarere River at State Highway 2 14.8 8.5 8.7 17.6 18.4 12

RS51 Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br 12.8 7.0 7.3 17.8 19.8 12

RS55 Tauherenikau R at Websters 11.7 6.6 6.7 15.8 16.5 12

RS58 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br 16.4 9.9 10.2 19.3 20.1 10

RS59 Enaki S d/s site for Riparian 11.8 7.6 7.6 15.3 15.9 10

* A lower n count for some sites reflects sampling occasions when a site could not be accessed


PAGE 34 OF 58

Table A3.2: Dissolved oxygen (% saturation)


percentile 95th


Kapiti Coast








Te Awarua o Porirua


















Wairarapa Coast


RS53 Awhea R at Tora Rd 102.6 94.1 95.2 123.6 138.4 12


Ruamahanga










RS45 Parkvale trib. at Lowes Reserve 72.4 67.1 67.3 76.8 77.9 12



RS48 Waiohine R at Bicknells 102.2 95.6 96.7 105.2 105.6 12

RS50 Mangatarere R at State Highway 2 95.0 89.7 90.6 103.1 107.5 12







PAGE 35 OF 58

Table A3.3: Dissolved oxygen (mg/L)


percentile 95th


Kapiti Coast








Te Awarua o Porirua






RS18 Karori S at Makara Peak M. B. Park 10.41 9.67 9.81 11.11 11.12 12












Wairarapa Coast




Ruamahanga





















PAGE 36 OF 58

Table A3.4: pH – Laboratory


percentile 95th


Kapiti Coast








Te Awarua o Porirua


















Wairarapa Coast




Ruamahanga





















PAGE 37 OF 58

Table A3.5: Visual clarity (m)

Whaitua Site no. Site name Median Minimum Maximum n*

Kapiti Coast

RS02 Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd 0.76 0.43 0.95 4

RS04 Waitohu S at Norfolk Crescent 0.91 0.74 1.24 3

RS05 Ōtaki R at Pukehinau 2.42 0.04 7.87 12

RS06 Ōtaki R at Mouth 1.84 0.05 8.97 12

RS07 Mangaone S at Sims Road Br 0.88 0.73 1.05 3

RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd 3.20 0.43 7.55 12

RS61 Waikanae R at Footbridge on M. Walkway 3.15 0.74 5.46 12

Te Awarua o Porirua

RS13 Horokiri S at Snodgrass 2.28 0.18 4.39 12

RS14 Pauatahanui S at Elmwood Br 1.88 0.22 3.00 12

RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot 2.52 0.27 4.02 12

Wellington Harbour and Hutt

Valley

RS17 Makara S at Kennels 1.75 0.11 2.52 12

RS18 Karori S at Makara Peak M.B Park 3.35 0.35 5.13 12

RS19 Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge 3.61 1.20 6.80 12

RS20 Hutt R at Te Marua Intake Site 5.05 2.39 8.00 12

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park Golf Club 2.63 1.35 5.56 12

RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott 3.23 1.29 5.45 12

RS23 Pakuratahi R 50m Below Farm Creek 4.50 2.67 6.45 12

RS24 Mangaroa R at Te Marua 1.68 0.99 2.14 12

RS25 Akatarawa R at Hutt Confl. 4.79 1.89 7.98 12

RS26 Whakatikei R at Riverstone 4.39 3.13 7.80 12

RS28 Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track 4.27 0.74 5.69 12

RS29 Wainuiomata R d/s of White Br 2.74 0.90 3.68 12

RS57 Waiwhetu S at Whites Line East 1.30 1.05 1.92 11

Wairarapa Coast

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge 0.90 0.10 >2.00 10

RS53 Awhea River at Tora Rd 1.57 0.11 4.11 12

RS60 Pahaoa R at Hinakura 2.42 0.43 4.37 12

Ruamahanga

RS31 Ruamahanga R at McLays 4.60 0.22 8.02 8

RS32 Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore 1.86 0.76 5.83 12

RS33 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br 1.48 0.59 5.51 12

RS34 Ruamahanga R at Pukio 0.90 0.28 3.05 12

RS37 Taueru R at Gladstone 1.82 0.41 3.28 12

RS38 Kopuaranga R at Stuarts 1.59 0.89 2.97 12

RS39 Whangaehu R at 250m from Confl. 1.20 0.24 1.60 9

RS40 Waipoua R at Colombo Rd Br 4.14 1.49 5.74 11

RS41 Waingawa R at South Rd 5.52 1.71 7.19 12

RS45 Parkvale tributary at Lowes Reserve 1.66 1.00 >4.50 12

RS46 Parkvale S at Renalls Weir 1.49 0.64 2.58 12

RS47 Waiohine R at Gorge 3.63 1.67 4.38 5

RS48 Waiohine River at Bicknells 1.81 0.12 3.21 12

RS50 Mangatarere River at State Highway 2 1.87 0.55 3.76 12

RS51 Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br 2.25 0.27 4.41 12

RS55 Tauherenikau R at Websters 2.46 0.33 6.54 12

RS58 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br 0.89 0.59 3.01 10

RS59 Enaki S d/s site for Riparian 2.25 1.25 3.72 10



PAGE 38 OF 58

Table A3.6: Turbidity (NTU)


Kapiti Coast








Te Awarua o Porirua






RS18 Karori S at Makara Peak M. B Park 1.4 0.6 8.4 12












Wairarapa Coast

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge 7.7 1.0 1260.0 12



Ruamahanga










RS45 Parkvale tributary at Lowes Reserve 0.5 0.2 1.4 12











PAGE 39 OF 58

Table A3.7: Total suspended solids (mg/L)


Kapiti Coast RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd 1.0 >2 17.0 12

Te Awarua o Porirua

RS13 Horokiri S at Snodgrass 2.5 >2 77.0 12

RS14 Pauatahanui S at Elmwood Br 3.0 >2 270.0 12

RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot 1.0 >2 35.0 12


RS17 Makara S at Kennels 3.5 >2 260.0 12

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park Golf Club 1.0 >2 5.0 12

RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott 1.0 >2 4.0 12

Wairarapa Coast

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge 6.5 >2 1560.0 12

RS60 Pahaoa R at Hinakura 1.0 >2 9.0 12

Ruamahanga

RS32 Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore 2.5 >2 135.0 12

RS33 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br 3.0 >2 11.0 12

RS34 Ruamahanga R at Pukio 5.0 >2 18.0 12

RS37 Taueru R at Gladstone 2.0 >2 13.0 12

RS38 Kopuaranga R at Stuarts 2.5 >2 22.0 12

RS39 Whangaehu R at 250m from Confl. 4.0 >2 220.0 12

RS55 Tauherenikau R at Websters 2.5 >2 18.0 12

RS58 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br 5.0 >2 12.0 10


Table A3.8: Suspended sediment concentration (mg/L)


Kapiti Coast RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd 5 <10 19 12

Ruamahanga

RS32 Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore 5 <10 90 12

RS33 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br 5 <10 12 12

RS34 Ruamahanga R at Pukio 6 <10 108 12

RS37 Taueru R at Gladstone 5 <10 11 12

RS38 Kopuaranga R at Stuarts 5 <10 19 12

RS39 Whangaehu R at 250m from Confl. 5 <10 220 12

RS55 Tauherenikau R at Websters 5 <10 19 12

RS58 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br 5 <10 14 10

Te Awarua o Porirua

RS13 Horokiri S at Snodgrass 5 <10 76 12

RS14 Pauatahanui S at Elmwood Br 5 <10 270 11

RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot 5 <10 36 12

Wairarapa Coast

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge 5 <10 1360 12

RS60 Pahaoa R at Hinakura 5 <10 11 12


RS17 Makara S at Kennels 5 <10 290 12

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park Golf Club 5 <10 <11 12

RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott 5 <10 <11 12



PAGE 40 OF 58

Table A3.9: Electrical conductivity - Field meter (µs/cm)


percentile 95th


Kapiti Coast

RS02 Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd 208 145 156 221 222 12

RS04 Waitohu S at Norfolk Crescent 134 78 89 168 170 12

RS05 Ōtaki R at Pukehinau 65 36 46 75 78 12

RS06 Ōtaki R at Mouth 66 40 52 77 80 12

RS07 Mangaone S at Sims Road Br 192 123 147 205 206 12

RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd 104 85 92 113 114 12

RS61 Waikanae R at Footbridge on M. Walkway 87 74 75 97 103 12

Te Awarua o Porirua

RS13 Horokiri S at Snodgrass 207 164 175 215 217 12

RS14 Pauatahanui S at Elmwood Br 177 132 152 193 196 12

RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot 260 195 215 290 292 12


RS17 Makara S at Kennels 274 229 246 306 312 12

RS18 Karori S at Makara Peak M.B Park 231 172 196 246 247 12

RS19 Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge 289 235 258 314 323 12

RS20 Hutt R at Te Marua Intake Site 74 61 63 81 82 12

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park Golf Club 95 79 83 102 103 12

RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott 94 73 80 103 107 12

RS23 Pakuratahi R 50m Below Farm Creek 85 80 81 91 91 12

RS24 Mangaroa R at Te Marua 105 98 99 112 113 12

RS25 Akatarawa R at Hutt Confl. 81 71 72 89 90 12

RS26 Whakatikei R at Riverstone 113 104 105 121 121 12

RS28 Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track 110 95 101 114 116 12

RS29 Wainuiomata R d/s of White Br 139 135 136 157 157 12

RS57 Waiwhetu S at Whites Line East 237 69 130 249 250 12

Wairarapa Coast

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge 535 331 374 655 665 11

RS53 Awhea River at Tora Rd 469 379 380 530 533 12

RS60 Pahaoa R at Hinakura 340 264 276 400 403 12

Ruamahanga

RS31 Ruamahanga R at McLays 47 36 38 58 59 10

RS32 Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore 115 83 90 156 168 11

RS33 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br 102 77 85 140 143 12

RS34 Ruamahanga R at Pukio 124 66 77 184 185 12

RS37 Taueru R at Gladstone 370 278 303 437 441 12

RS38 Kopuaranga R at Stuarts 242 208 213 309 342 12

RS39 Whangaehu R at 250m from Confl. 331 253 264 399 420 12

RS40 Waipoua R at Colombo Rd Br 100 72 72 114 118 12

RS41 Waingawa R at South Rd 63 46 47 68 68 12

RS45 Parkvale tributary at Lowes Reserve 165 146 150 189 192 12

RS46 Parkvale S at Renalls Weir 145 133 134 168 168 12

RS47 Waiohine R at Gorge 54 28 36 63 64 12

RS48 Waiohine River at Bicknells 76 37 49 85 91 12

RS50 Mangatarere River at State Highway 2 112 91 99 129 131 12

RS51 Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br 338 249 270 432 464 12

RS55 Tauherenikau R at Websters 70 47 50 81 83 12

RS58 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br 126 74 79 186 190 10

RS59 Enaki S d/s site for Riparian 116 104 107 124 125 10



PAGE 41 OF 58

Table A3.10: Ammoniacal nitrogen (mg/L)

Whaitua Site no. Site name Median Minimum Maximum Annual Maximum

NOF Attribute

State n*

Kapiti Coast

RS02 Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd 0.032 <0.005 0.096 0.096 A 12

RS04 Waitohu S at Norfolk Crescent 0.021 <0.005 0.061 0.061 A 12

RS05 Ōtaki R at Pukehinau 0.003 <0.005 <0.005 0.003 A 12

RS06 Ōtaki R at Mouth 0.003 <0.005 <0.005 0.003 A 12

RS07 Mangaone S at Sims Road Br 0.056 0.0270 0.117 0.117 A 12

RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd 0.003 <0.005 <0.005 0.003 A 12

RS61 Waikanae R at Footbridge on M. Walkway 0.003 <0.005 0.007 0.007 A 12


RS17 Makara S at Kennels 0.004 <0.005 0.093 0.093 A 12

RS18 Karori S at Makara Peak M.B Park 0.019 <0.005 0.055 0.055 A 12

RS19 Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge 0.004 <0.005 0.105 0.105 B 12

RS20 Hutt R at Te Marua Intake Site 0.003 <0.005 0.007 0.007 A 12

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park Golf Club 0.003 <0.005 0.013 0.013 A 12

RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott 0.003 <0.005 0.007 0.007 A 12

RS23 Pakuratahi R 50m Below Farm Creek 0.003 <0.005 0.008 0.008 A 12

RS24 Mangaroa R at Te Marua 0.005 <0.005 0.018 0.018 A 12

RS25 Akatarawa R at Hutt Confl. 0.003 <0.005 <0.005 0.003 A 12

RS26 Whakatikei R at Riverstone 0.003 <0.005 <0.005 0.003 A 12

RS28 Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track 0.003 <0.005 0.006 0.006 A 12

RS29 Wainuiomata R d/s of White Br 0.008 <0.005 0.012 0.012 A 12

RS57 Waiwhetu S at Whites Line East 0.063 <0.005 0.280 0.280 B 12

Te Awarua o Porirua

RS13 Horokiri S at Snodgrass 0.003 <0.005 0.060 0.060 A 12

RS14 Pauatahanui S at Elmwood Br 0.004 <0.005 0.076 0.076 A 12

RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot 0.005 <0.005 0.057 0.057 A 12

Ruamahanga

RS31 Ruamahanga R at McLays 0.003 <0.005 0.005 0.005 A 10

RS32 Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore 0.003 <0.005 <0.005 0.003 A 12

RS33 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br 0.003 <0.005 0.172 0.172 B 12

RS34 Ruamahanga R at Pukio 0.003 <0.005 0.047 0.047 A 12

RS37 Taueru R at Gladstone 0.004 <0.005 0.028 0.028 A 12

RS38 Kopuaranga R at Stuarts 0.003 <0.005 0.009 0.009 A 12

RS39 Whangaehu R at 250m from Confl. 0.003 <0.005 0.042 0.042 A 12

RS40 Waipoua R at Colombo Rd Br 0.003 <0.005 0.010 0.010 A 12

RS41 Waingawa R at South Rd 0.003 <0.005 0.008 0.008 A 12

RS45 Parkvale tributary at Lowes Reserve 0.003 <0.005 0.008 0.008 A 12

RS46 Parkvale S at Renalls Weir 0.011 <0.005 0.034 0.034 A 12

RS47 Waiohine R at Gorge 0.003 <0.005 <0.005 0.003 A 12

RS48 Waiohine River at Bicknells 0.003 <0.005 0.047 0.047 A 12

RS50 Mangatarere River at State Highway 2 0.044 <0.005 0.230 0.230 B 12

RS51 Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br 0.003 <0.005 0.006 0.006 A 12

RS55 Tauherenikau R at Websters 0.003 <0.005 0.006 0.006 A 12

RS58 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br 0.003 <0.005 0.045 0.045 A 10

RS59 Enaki S d/s site for Riparian 0.003 <0.005 0.009 0.009 A 10

Wairarapa Coast

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge 0.003 <0.005 0.047 0.047 A 12

RS53 Awhea River at Tora Rd <0.005 <0.005 0.010 0.010 A 12

RS60 Pahaoa R at Hinakura 0.003 <0.005 0.009 0.009 A 12



PAGE 42 OF 58

Table A3.11: Nitrate nitrogen (mg/L)

Whaitua Site no.

Site Name Median Minimum Maximum Hazen 95th Percentile

NOF Attribute

State n*

Kapiti Coast

RS02 Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd 2.00 0.78 3.10 3.05 B 12

RS04 Waitohu S at Norfolk Crescent 0.39 0.05 0.82 0.81 A 12

RS05 Ōtaki R at Pukehinau 0.04 0.01 0.05 0.05 A 12

RS06 Ōtaki R at Mouth 0.05 0.00 0.08 0.08 A 12

RS07 Mangaone S at Sims Road Br 1.91 0.61 2.60 2.57 B 12

RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd 0.24 0.04 0.36 0.36 A 12

RS61 Waikanae R at Footbridge on M. Walkway 0.15 0.09 0.19 0.19 A 12

Te Awarua o Porirua

RS13 Horokiri S at Snodgrass 0.68 0.20 0.95 0.94 A 12

RS14 Pauatahanui S at Elmwood Br 0.37 0.07 0.58 0.58 A 12

RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot 1.04 0.70 1.63 1.59 B 12


RS17 Makara S at Kennels 0.44 0.03 1.31 1.26 A 12

RS18 Karori S at Makara Peak M.B Park 1.27 1.02 1.42 1.42 B 12

RS19 Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge 1.07 0.87 1.26 1.26 B 12

RS20 Hutt R at Te Marua Intake Site 0.10 0.03 0.14 0.14 A 12

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park Golf Club 0.25 0.12 0.33 0.33 A 12

RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott 0.26 0.11 0.33 0.33 A 12

RS23 Pakuratahi R 50m Below Farm Creek 0.21 0.10 0.29 0.29 A 12

RS24 Mangaroa R at Te Marua 0.47 0.33 0.59 0.59 A 12

RS25 Akatarawa R at Hutt Confl. 0.08 0.02 0.15 0.15 A 12

RS26 Whakatikei R at Riverstone 0.18 0.05 0.28 0.28 A 12

RS28 Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track 0.06 0.02 0.08 0.08 A 12

RS29 Wainuiomata R d/s of White Br 0.17 0.03 0.50 0.48 A 12

RS57 Waiwhetu S at Whites Line East 0.48 0.22 0.72 0.71 A 12

Wairarapa Coast

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge 0.03 0.00 0.97 0.96 A 12

RS53 Awhea River at Tora Rd 0.10 0.00 0.29 0.29 A 12

RS60 Pahaoa R at Hinakura 0.01 0.00 0.22 0.22 A 12

Ruamahanga

RS31 Ruamahanga R at McLays 0.02 0.01 0.04 0.04 A 10

RS32 Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore 0.37 0.14 0.88 0.87 A 12

RS33 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br 0.43 0.15 0.86 0.86 A 12

RS34 Ruamahanga R at Pukio 0.50 0.16 0.84 0.83 A 12

RS37 Taueru R at Gladstone 0.62 0.00 1.53 1.51 B 12

RS38 Kopuaranga R at Stuarts 0.79 0.39 1.13 1.12 A 12

RS39 Whangaehu R at 250m from Confl. 0.44 0.05 1.41 1.40 A 12

RS40 Waipoua R at Colombo Rd Br 0.85 0.20 1.36 1.35 A 12

RS41 Waingawa R at South Rd 0.08 0.00 0.31 0.30 A 12

RS45 Parkvale tributary at Lowes Reserve 4.40 2.30 6.90 6.86 C 12

RS46 Parkvale S at Renalls Weir 2.15 0.02 2.90 2.89 B 12

RS47 Waiohine R at Gorge 0.02 0.01 0.05 0.05 A 12

RS48 Waiohine River at Bicknells 0.44 0.12 0.75 0.74 A 12

RS50 Mangatarere River at State Highway 2 1.09 0.34 1.96 1.94 B 12

RS51 Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br 0.28 0.00 0.64 0.62 A 12

RS55 Tauherenikau R at Websters 0.05 0.02 0.19 0.18 A 12

RS58 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br 0.41 0.16 0.85 0.85 A 10

RS59 Enaki S d/s site for Riparian 0.95 0.20 1.61 1.61 B 10



PAGE 43 OF 58

Table A3.12: Nitrate-nitrite nitrogen (mg/L)


Kapiti Coast








Te Awarua o Porirua


















Wairarapa Coast

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge 0.037 <0.001 0.970 12

RS53 Awhea River at Tora Rd 0.101 <0.001 0.290 12

RS60 Pahaoa R at Hinakura 0.013 <0.001 0.220 12

Ruamahanga





















PAGE 44 OF 58

Table A3.13: Total kjeldahl nitrogen (mg/L)


Kapiti Coast



RS05 Ōtaki R at Pukehinau 0.050 <0.1 0.430 12

RS06 Ōtaki R at Mouth 0.050 <0.1 0.490 12


RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd 0.050 <0.1 0.280 12

RS61 Waikanae R at Footbridge on M. Walkway 0.050 <0.1 0.340 12

Te Awarua o Porirua





Valley




RS20 Hutt R at Te Marua Intake Site 0.050 <0.1 0.130 12

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park Golf Club 0.105 <0.1 0.160 12

RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott 0.050 <0.1 0.170 12

RS23 Pakuratahi R 50m Below Farm Creek 0.110 <0.1 0.200 12


RS25 Akatarawa R at Hutt Confl. 0.050 <0.1 0.140 12

RS26 Whakatikei R at Riverstone 0.050 <0.1 0.100 12

RS28 Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track 0.115 <0.1 0.270 12

RS29 Wainuiomata R d/s of White Br 0.130 <0.1 0.250 12


Wairarapa Coast




Ruamahanga

RS31 Ruamahanga R at McLays 0.050 <0.1 0.130 10

RS32 Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore 0.135 <0.1 0.270 12

RS33 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br 0.170 <0.1 0.600 12

RS34 Ruamahanga R at Pukio 0.170 <0.1 0.340 12




RS40 Waipoua R at Colombo Rd Br 0.180 <0.1 0.450 12

RS41 Waingawa R at South Rd 0.050 <0.1 0.330 12



RS47 Waiohine R at Gorge 0.050 <0.1 0.220 12

RS48 Waiohine River at Bicknells 0.085 <0.1 0.210 12



RS55 Tauherenikau R at Websters 0.050 <0.1 0.600 12

RS58 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br 0.180 <0.1 0.410 10




PAGE 45 OF 58

Table A3.14: Total nitrogen (mg/L)


Kapiti Coast








Te Awarua o Porirua















RS28 Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track 0.16 <0.11 0.30 12



Wairarapa Coast




Ruamahanga





















PAGE 46 OF 58

Table A3.15: Dissolved reactive phosphorus


Kapiti Coast








Te Awarua o Porirua


















Wairarapa Coast

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge 0.003 <0.001 0.041 12



Ruamahanga















RS51 Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br 0.008 <0.001 0.025 12






PAGE 47 OF 58

Table A3.16: Total phosphorus


Kapiti Coast








Te Awarua o Porirua





Valley





RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park Golf Club 0.0085 <0.004 0.014 12









Wairarapa Coast




Ruamahanga















RS51 Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br 0.0185 <0.004 0.044 12






PAGE 48 OF 58

Table A3.17: E.Coli

Whaitua Site no. Site name Median Minimum Maximum n* NOF

Attribute State

Kapiti Coast

RS02 Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd 1,350 330 39,000 12 E

RS04 Waitohu S at Norfolk Crescent 850 130 4,000 12 E

RS05 Otaki R at Pukehinau 7 2 500 12 A

RS06 Otaki R at Mouth 41 4 80 10 A

RS07 Mangaone S at Sims Road Br 1,000 300 580 12 E

RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd 29 8 1,100 12 B

RS61 Waikanae R at Footbridge on M. Walkway 15 3 450 12 A

Te Awarua o Porirua

RS13 Horokiri S at Snodgrass 335 70 1,200 12 E

RS14 Pauatahanui S at Elmwood Br 270 90 7,000 12 E

RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot 1,000 100 11,000 12 E


RS17 Makara S at Kennels 335 50 170 12 E

RS18 Karori S at Makara Peak M.B Park 1,450 370 170 12 E

RS19 Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge 1,000 200 200 12 E

RS20 Hutt R at Te Marua Intake Site 17 4 470 12 A

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park G.C 70 30 140 12 B

RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott 47 26 41 12 B

RS23 Pakuratahi R 50m Below Farm Creek 65 25 100 12 B

RS24 Mangaroa R at Te Marua 155 50 2,000 12 D

RS25 Akatarawa R at Hutt Confl 28 6 29,000 12 A

RS26 Whakatikei R at Riverstone 14 3 41 12 A

RS28 Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track 3 <1 100 12 A

RS29 Wainuiomata R d/s of White Br 125 20 2,000 12 B

RS57 Waiwhetu S at Whites Line East 565 140 29,000 12 E

Wairarapa Coast

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge 115 20 28,000 12 D

RS53 Awhea River at Tora Rd 57 9 60 12 D

RS60 Pahaoa R at Hinakura 95 9 100,000 12 B

Ruamahanga

RS31 Ruamahanga R at McLays 8 2 800 12 A

RS32 Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore 80 37 1,500 12 D

RS33 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br 39 11 23,000 12 D

RS34 Ruamahanga R at Pukio 44 30 19,000 12 B

RS37 Taueru R at Gladstone 130 37 300 12 C

RS38 Kopuaranga R at Stuarts 155 70 70 12 D

RS39 Whangaehu R at 250m from Confl 85 28 2,100 12 D

RS40 Waipoua R at Colombo Rd Br 35 6 180 12 B

RS41 Waingawa R at South Rd 4 <1 100 12 A

RS45 Parkvale tributary at Lowes Reserve 16 3 360 12 A

RS46 Parkvale S at Renalls Weir 350 130 300 12 E

RS47 Waiohine R at Gorge 8 1 50 11 A

RS48 Waiohine River at Bicknells 40 10 440 10 A

RS50 Mangatarere River at State Highway 2 90 28 1,500 10 D

RS51 Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br 115 11 700 12 B

RS55 Tauherenikau R at Websters 15 2 4,000 12 A

RS58 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br 38 29 6,000 12 A

RS59 Enaki S d/s site for Riparian 295 40 8,000 11 C



PAGE 49 OF 58

Table A3.18: Faecal Coliforms


Kapiti Coast

RS02 Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd 1,350 400 39,000 12

RS04 Waitohu S at Norfolk Crescent 950 150 15,000 12

RS05 Ōtaki R at Pukehinau 7 2 420 12

RS06 Ōtaki R at Mouth 55 5 600 12

RS07 Mangaone S at Sims Road Br 1,050 480 39,000 12

RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd 32 8 5,100 12

RS61 Waikanae R at Footbridge on M. Walkway 17 3 600 12

Te Awarua o Porirua

RS13 Horokiri S at Snodgrass 435 80 4,600 12

RS14 Pauatahanui S at Elmwood Br 325 120 7,000 12

RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot 1,100 120 11,000 11


RS17 Makara S at Kennels 450 60 9,000 12

RS18 Karori S at Makara Peak M.B Park 1,850 370 13,000 12

RS19 Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge 1,050 300 30,000 12

RS20 Hutt R at Te Marua Intake Site 20 4 70 12

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park Golf Club 80 30 170 12

RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott 52 30 170 12

RS23 Pakuratahi R 50m Below Farm Creek 67 25 200 12

RS24 Mangaroa R at Te Marua 175 60 470 12

RS25 Akatarawa R at Hutt Confl. 34 7 140 12

RS26 Whakatikei R at Riverstone 14 5 47 12

RS28 Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track 3 1 110 12

RS29 Wainuiomata R d/s of White Br 155 27 2,100 12

RS57 Waiwhetu S at Whites Line East 730 200 34,000 12

Wairarapa Coast

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge 115 26 100,000 12

RS53 Awhea River at Tora Rd 79 9 1,300 12

RS60 Pahaoa R at Hinakura 110 9 700 12

Ruamahanga

RS31 Ruamahanga R at McLays 9 2 80 10

RS32 Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore 110 37 750 12

RS33 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br 49 13 1,700 12

RS34 Ruamahanga R at Pukio 55 31 520 12

RS37 Taueru R at Gladstone 175 45 1,000 12

RS38 Kopuaranga R at Stuarts 160 80 1,500 12

RS39 Whangaehu R at 250m from Confl. 95 35 23,000 12

RS40 Waipoua R at Colombo Rd Br 40 6 19,000 12

RS41 Waingawa R at South Rd 5 <1 300 12

RS45 Parkvale tributary at Lowes Reserve 20 3 70 12

RS46 Parkvale S at Renalls Weir 395 140 2,600 12

RS47 Waiohine R at Gorge 9 1 180 12

RS48 Waiohine River at Bicknells 48 11 100 12

RS50 Mangatarere River at State Highway 2 95 32 380 12

RS51 Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br 125 12 310 12

RS55 Tauherenikau R at Websters 25 2 60 11

RS58 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br 47 34 610 10

RS59 Enaki S d/s site for Riparian 295 60 1,800 10



PAGE 50 OF 58

Appendix 4: Tabulated metals data

The default trigger values presented here represent the ANZECC (2000) 95% species protection level for slightly modified freshwater ecosystems.

Table A4.1: Summary of dissolved copper (mg/L) concentrations measured at eight RWQE sites between July 2016 and June 2017 (D.L =detection limit). The percentages of samples exceeding the ANZECC (2000) default and hardness-modified trigger values (TVs) are also presented

Whaitua Site no. Site name Median Minimum Maximum n n

<D.L

% of samples (n) or median compliance with ANZECC

(2000)*

Default trigger value

(≤ 0.0014)

Hardness modified

trigger value

Kapiti RS02 Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd 0.00115 0.0006 0.003 12 0 25.00 16.67

RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd 0.00025 <0.0005 0.0007 12 11 Med. complies Med. complies

Te Awarua o Porirua RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot 0.00105 0.0007 0.0025 12 0 25.00 25.00


RS18 Karori S at Makara Peak M.B Park 0.00115 0.0007 0.0038 12 0 33.33 25.00

RS19 Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge 0.0012 0.0007 0.0035 12 0 25.00 8.33

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park G.C 0.00025 <0.0005 <0.0005 12 12 Med. complies Med. complies

RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott 0.00025 <0.0005 <0.0005 12 12 Med. complies Med. complies

RS57 Waiwhetu S at Whites Line East 0.00095 0.0007 0.0036 12 0 33.33 16.67

* Refer to Section 3.1.3 for an explanation of why two approaches have been undertaken to assess compliance with ANZECC (2000) default and hardness-modified trigger values

Table A4.2: Summary of dissolved zinc (mg/L) concentration measured at eight RWQE sites between July 2016 and June 2017 (D.L = detection limit). The percentages of samples exceeding the ANZECC (2000) default and hardness-modified trigger values (TVs) are also presented

Whaitua Site no. Site name Median Minimum Maximum n

n < D.L

% of samples (n) or median compliance with ANZECC

(2000)*

Default trigger value

(≤ 0.0014)

Hardness modified

trigger value

Kapiti RS02 Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd 0.0032 0.0013 0.0081 12 0 8.33 0.00

RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd 0.0005 <0.001 <0.001 12 12 Med. complies Med. complies

Te Awarua o Porirua RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot 0.00895 0.0031 0.074 12 0 58.33 41.67


RS18 Karori S at Makara Peak M.B Park 0.01785 0.0074 0.059 12 0 91.67 91.67

RS19 Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge 0.00595 0.0015 0.017 12 0 25.00 16.67

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park G.C 0.0005 <0.001 0.0032 12 11 Med. complies Med. complies

RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott 0.0005 <0.001 0.002 12 11 Med. complies Med. complies

RS57 Waiwhetu S at Whites Line East 0.02095 0.0082 0.043 12 0 100.00 91.67

* Refer to Section 3.1.3 for an explanation of why two approaches have been undertaken to assess compliance with ANZECC (2000) default and hardness-modified trigger values


PAGE 51 OF 58

Table A4.3: Summary of total recoverable copper (mg/L) concentrations measured at five RWQE sites between July 2016 and June 2017

Whaitua Site no. Site name Median Minimum Maximum n

Kapiti Coast RS02 Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd 0.0014 0.0009 0.0036 12

Te Awarua o Porirua RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot 0.00125 0.0009 0.0039 12





Table A4.4: Summary of total recoverable zinc (mg/L) concentrations measured at five RWQE sites between July 2016 and June 2017

Whaitua Site no. Site Name Median Minimum Maximum n

Kapiti Coast RS02 Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd 0.0042 0.0016 0.0133 12

Te Awarua o Porirua RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot 0.01205 0.0036 0.067 12






PAGE 52 OF 58

Appendix 5: Additional macroinvertebrate indices for RWQE sites

Table A5.1: QMCI, %EPT* taxa and taxa richness scores for RWQE sites sampled in summer 2016/17

Whaitua Site No Site Name QMCI %EPT* taxa Taxa richness

Kapiti Coast

RS02 Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd 4.63 13.3 15

RS04 Waitohu S at Norfolk Crescent 4.87 35.7 14

RS05 Ōtaki R at Pukehinau 7.88 77.8 18

RS06 Ōtaki R at Mouth 7.75 58.3 12

RS07 Mangaone S at Sims Road Br 4.45 10 20

RS10 Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd 7.5 44.4 18

RS61 Waikanae R at Footbridge on M. Walkway 8.26 66.7 24

Te Awarua o Porirua

RS13 Horokiri S at Snodgrass 4.93 50 26

RS14 Pauatahanui S at Elmwood Br 4.75 30.3 33

RS16 Porirua S at Milk Depot 5.3 36.4 22


RS17 Makara S at Kennels Not sampled in 2016/17

RS18 Karori S at Makara Peak M.B Park 2.94 26.9 26

RS19 Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge 2.83 31 29

RS20 Hutt R at Te Marua Intake Site 8.28 65 20

RS21 Hutt R Opposite Manor Park Golf Club 5.81 51.7 29

RS22 Hutt R at Boulcott 7.29 36.4 22

RS23 Pakuratahi R 50m Below Farm Creek 7.45 48.3 29

RS24 Mangaroa R at Te Marua 5.68 57.1 28

RS25 Akatarawa R at Hutt Confl. 8.1 57.9 19

RS26 Whakatikei R at Riverstone 7.82 56 25

RS28 Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track 7.44 57.6 33

RS29 Wainuiomata R d/s of White Br 5.79 42.3 26

RS57 Waiwhetu S at Whites Line East 4.02 5.3 19

Wairarapa Coast

RS42 Whareama R at Gauge Not sampled in 2016/17

RS53 Awhea River at Tora Rd 2.82 16 25

RS60 Pahaoa R at Hinakura Not sampled in 2016/17

Ruamahanga

RS31 Ruamahanga R at McLays 8.38 66.7 27

RS32 Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore 7.69 50 12

RS33 Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br 7.14 45.5 11

RS34 Ruamahanga R at Pukio 7.91 50 8

RS37 Taueru R at Gladstone 4.74 23.3 30

RS38 Kopuaranga R at Stuarts 3.77 30.8 26

RS39 Whangaehu R at 250m from Confl. 4.27 4.2 24

RS40 Waipoua R at Colombo Rd Br 5.36 50 22

RS41 Waingawa R at South Rd 6.96 50 14

RS45 Parkvale tributary at Lowes Reserve 5 35 20

RS46 Parkvale S at Renalls Weir 4.07 30.8 26

RS47 Waiohine R at Gorge 7.84 59.3 27

RS48 Waiohine River at Bicknells 7.77 58.8 17

RS50 Mangatarere River at State Highway 2 7 52.4 21

RS51 Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br 3.64 32.1 28

RS55 Tauherenikau R at Websters 7.92 42.9 14

RS58 Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br Not sampled in 2016/17

RS59 Enaki S d/s site for Riparian 6.69 50 24

* Pollution tolerant EPT taxa (Oxyethira and Paroxythira) were excluded from this calculation

RSoE monitoring programme: Annual data report, 2015/16

PAGE 53 OF 58

Appendix 6: Habitat scores for RWQE sites assessed in summer 2016/17

Table A6.1: Rapid habitat assessment scores for RWQE sites collected during summer 2016/17

Waitua Site Name Site no.

River class Substrate Dominant

Landcover Deposited sediment

Invertebrate habitat

diversity


abundance

Fish cover

diversity

Fish cover abundance

Hydraulic heterogeneity

Bank erosion

Bank vegetation

Riparian width

Riparian shade Sum Rank

Kapiti Coast

Mangapouri S at Bennetts Rd RS02 6 Soft Urban 1 5 1 6 7 2 8 6 5 8 66 20

Waitohu S at Norfolk Crescent RS04 5 Soft Pasture 10 7 1 8 9 2 7 6 7 9 40 38

Otaki R at Pukehinau RS05 1 Hard Indigenous forest 10 4 1 3 7 1 2 2.5 3.5 6 83 6

Otaki R at Mouth RS06 4 Hard Indigenous forest 10 8 10 8 8 9 9 7 9 5 63 23=

Mangaone S at Sims Road Br RS07 5 Soft Pasture 7 4 6 6 6 9 10 5 9 1 42 36=

Waikanae R at Greenaway Rd RS10 4 Hard Indigenous forest 1 5 1 6 8 1 7 4 4 5 74 11

Waikanae R at Footbridge on M. Walkway RS61 2 Hard Indigenous forest 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 10 10 10 99 1

Te Awarua o Porirua

Horokiri S at Snodgrass RS13 2 Hard Pasture 10 8 9 7 7 8 9 6 6 4 70.5 14

Pauatahanui S at Elmwood Br RS14 2 Soft Pasture 9 7 8 6 7 7 6.5 5 8 7 75.5 9

Porirua S at Milk Depot RS16 2 Hard Urban 1 8 4 10 10 8 9 7 9.5 9 47 35

Wellington Harbour &

Hutt Valley

Makara S at Kennels RS17 2 Hard Pasture Not sampled in 2016/17

Karori S at Makara Peak M.B Park RS18 2 Hard Urban 8 6 5 5 4 4 7.5 2.5 2 3 59 27

Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge RS19 2 Hard Urban 8 7 5 6 4 3 5 7 7 7 51 30=

Hutt R at Te Marua Intake Site RS20 1 Hard Indigenous forest 5 6 3 4 4 2 6 7 8 6 79 8

Hutt R Opposite Manor Park G.C RS21 4 Hard Indigenous forest 10 8 10 6 8 10 8 8 9 2 73 12

Hutt R at Boulcott RS22 4 Hard Indigenous forest 9 8 7 8 6 8 9 8 8 2 70 15=

Pakuratahi R 50m Below Farm Creek RS23 1 Hard Indigenous forest 9 8 7 8 6 7 7 7 8 3 70 15=

Mangaroa R at Te Marua RS24 1 Hard Pasture 10 7 9 5 7 10 10 6 5 1 63 23=

Akatarawa R at Hutt Confl. RS25 1 Hard Indigenous forest 7 6 7 4 6 6 9 8 6 4 90 4=

Whakatikei R at Riverstone RS26 4 Hard Indigenous forest 9 9 10 8 8 10 9.5 9 9.5 8 90 4=

Wainuiomata R at Manuka Track RS28 1 Hard Indigenous forest 10 9 10 7 8 10 8 10 10 8 92 3

Wainuiomata R d/s of White Br RS29 4 Hard Indigenous forest 10 10 10 9 10 7 10 10 10 6 58 28=

Waiwhetu S at Whites Line East RS57 6 Soft Urban 6 7 3 8 7 6 9 6 9 4 33.5 41

Wairarapa Coast

Whareama R at Gauge RS42 5 Soft Pasture Not sampled in 2016/17

Awhea R at Tora Rd RS53 5 Hard Pasture 10 6 7 7 6 6 8 5 4 4 36.5 39

Pahaoa R at Hinakura RS60 5 Hard Pasture 6 7 7 8 8 9 4 6 6 8 * *


PAGE 54 OF 58

Table A6.1 continued: Rapid habitat assessment scores for RWQE sites collected during summer 2016/17

Waitua Site Name Site no.

River class Substrate Dominant

Landcover Deposited sediment


diversity


abundance

Fish cover

diversity



Bank erosion

Bank vegetation

Riparian width

Riparian shade Sum Rank

Ruamahanga

Ruamahanga R at McLays RS31 1 Hard Indigenous forest 8 10 9 7 8 5 5 4 1 1 94 2

Ruamahanga R at Te Ore Ore RS32 4 Hard Pasture 10 10 10 9 8 10 10 9 10 8 63.5 22

Ruamahanga R at Gladstone Br RS33 4 Hard Pasture 8 9 5 9 5 7 8 4 7.5 1 49 33=

Ruamahanga R at Pukio RS34 4 Hard Pasture 9 2 3 4 6 9 6 8 2 42 36=

Taueru R at Gladstone RS37 3 Hard Pasture 9 3 2 4 4 2 9 4 2 3 51 30=

Kopuaranga R at Stuarts RS38 5 Hard Pasture 8 4 3 5 5 4 8 4 8 2 51 30=

Whangaehu R at 250m from Confl. RS39 3 Soft Pasture 7 5 3 8 6 6 8 3 2 3 36 40

Waipoua R at Colombo Rd Br RS40 4 Hard Pasture 1 4 1 4 5 1 8 4 3 5 72 13

Waingawa R at South Rd RS41 4 Hard Indigenous forest 10 9 5 9 6 7 10 5 9 2 60.5 26

Parkvale trib at Lowes Reserve RS45 6 Hard Pasture 9.5 8 9 2 4 7 8 4 8 1 79.5 7

Parkvale S at Renalls Weir RS46 5 Hard Pasture 8 8 5 8 9 2 10 10 9.5 10 58 28=

Waiohine R at Gorge RS47 1 Hard Indigenous forest 7 10 5 4 5 3 10 4 4 6 75 10

Waiohine R at Bicknells RS48 4 Hard Pasture 10 7 9.5 6 6 8.5 10 8 8 2 70 15=

Mangatarere R at State Highway 2 RS50 4 Hard Pasture 10 5 8 7 8 6 10 6 9 1 69 18=

Huangarua R at Ponatahi Br RS51 4 Hard Pasture 9 8 7 8 7 4 8 5 8 5 63 23=

Tauherenikau R at Websters RS55 4 Hard Pasture 10 3 2 3 3 3 6 3 2.5 1 65 21

Ruamahanga R at Waihenga Br RS58 4 Hard Pasture Not sampled in 2016/17

Enaki S d/s site for Riparian RS59 4 Hard Pasture 4 8 1 6 4 1 3.5 2 2 2 69 18=


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Appendix 7: Additional monitoring data

Table A7.1 summarises the additional macroinvertebrate indices for data collected from five sites that were trialled as part of the development of an ecologically focused monitoring programme that utilises sites randomly selected across the region (see section 7). Table A7.2 summarises the habitat scores from these sites.

Table A7.1: QMCI, %EPT* taxa and taxa richness scores for the five sites that were trialled as part of an ecologically focussed monitoring programme that utilises randomly selected across the region

Whaitua Site no Site name QMCI Taxa richness % EPT* taxa

Wairarapa Coast RAN55 Upper Pahaoa River 4.3 21 38.1

RAN74 Lower Pahaoa River 3.5 26 23.1

Ruamahanga

RAN23 Waitawatautau Stream 4.1 24 12.5

RAN32 Lake Onoke farm drain 4.6 22 0

RAN71 Parkvale Stream 3.9 24 25

* Pollution tolerant EPT taxa (Oxyethira and Paroxythira) were excluded from this calculation.


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Table A7.2: Habitat scores for the seven sites that were trialled as part of an ecologically focused monitoring programme that utilised sites randomly selected across the region

Whaitua Site no. Site Name Deposited sediment


diversity


abundance

Fish cover diversity



Bank erosion

Bank vegetation

Riparian width

Riparian shade Sum

Wairarapa Coast RAN55 Upper Pahaoa River 3 9 2 7 7 5 9 5 5 6 58

RAN74 Lower Pahaoa River 8 6 2 3 4 5 4 6 6 2 46

Ruamahanga

RAN23 Waitawatautau Stream 1 2 1 3 8 1 8 2.5 2 2 30.5

RAN32 Lake Onoke N. trib. 1 2 1 3 8 1 8 2.5 2 2 30.5

RAN71 Parkvale Stream 9 8 2 6 7 3 7 3 3 1 49


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Appendix 8: Targeted investigations

Inanga Spawning Habitat Assessment In 2016/17 the Marine and Freshwater team engaged Aquatic Ecology Ltd (AEL) to undertake assessments of inanga spawning habitat at selected sites in the Wellington Region. Eight spawning sites were found during the assessments, the locations of which are presented in Table A8.1. Further information on this project can be found in Marshall and Taylor (2017)12.

Table A8.1: Location of the eight inanga spawning grounds determined during surveys conducted during 2016/17

Catchment name Waterway name NZTM site coordinates

Easting Northing

Waikanae River

Waimeha Lagoon 1769342 5473454

Oxbow 1770053 5473032

Mainstem 1769770 5472919

Mazengarb Estuary 1769427 5473020

Mazengarb Stream 1769423 5472939

Duck Creek Mainstem 1759535 5447503

Tributary 1759589 5447525

Kaiwharawhara Stream Mainstem 1749926 5430757

Urban Stream Biodiversity Monitoring Programme Together with Wellington City Council, the Marine and Freshwater team are implementing an ‘Urban Stream Biodiversity Monitoring Programme’ to identify and monitor the biodiversity values of Wellington City’s urban streams. As part of this programme macroinvertebrate and fish surveys were attempted at six sites in the Kaiwharawhara catchment and four sites in the Owhiro catchment in May 2017. The locations of the sites and the results of the surveys are presented in Table A8.2.

12 Marshall W and Taylor M. 2017. Inanga spawning habitat surveys in the Wellington Region, 2017. AEL Report prepared for Greater Wellington Regional Council, AEL Report No; 146, Christchurch.


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Table A8.2: Location of sites surveyed in 2016/2017 for the Urban Stream Biodiversity Monitoring Programme and the results of the fish and macroinvertebrate sampling

Catchment Site name/location NZTM site coordinates Fish species (including koura) and numbers caught at each site Invertebrate results

Easting Northing Banded kokopu

Giant kokopu

Unidentified kokopu

Redfin bully

Longfin eel

Shortfin eel

Unidentified eel Koura MCI score MCI

class

Kaiwharawhara

Kaiwharawhara S d/s of dam 1746821 5427786 8 - - - 2 1 - - * *

Kaiwharawhara S d/s of piped section 1746803 5429875 9 - - - 3 - 5 - * *

Kaiwharawhara S at Otari Wiltons Bush 1747267 5430239 16 1 - - 4 - 5 3 * *

Kaiwharawhara S d/s of Korimoko Confl. 1748416 5430848 - - - - 6 - 5 - * *

Korimoko S at Girl Guides 1747744 5431638 19 - 1 - 4 1 3 10 * *

Kaiwharawhara S at Ngaio Gorge 1749056 5431083 1 - - 6 2 1 3 - * *

Owhiro

Owhiro S u/s of TNT Landfill 1747176 5423681 5 - - - 5 1 - 1 87 Fair

Owhiro S d/s of TNT Landfill 1747105 5423349 2 - - - 8 3 - - 91 Fair

Owhiro S u/s of Murchison St 1747073 5422719 1 - - 3 4 4 - - * *

Owhiro S d/s of Happy Valley Rd 1747132 5421658 - - - 10 1 4 - - 73 Poor

*Macroinvertebrate sampling not possible due to high flows

rivers water quality and ecology monitoring programme · of these 44 rwqe sites in summer/autumn....

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